US President Donald Trump asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to halt India’s imports of Russian oil, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, but Indian officials have denied any such agreement, highlighting diplomatic tensions over energy policy.
Trump made the remarks during a White House event on Wednesday, October 16, 2025, telling reporters that Modi “assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia.” He described it as “a big step” and indicated that India could not immediately stop the purchases but would wind them down soon. The president also expressed intent to persuade China to follow suit, though Beijing has defended its energy cooperation with Russia as legitimate. Trump’s comments came amid his broader strategy to leverage bilateral relationships for economic isolation of Russia.
In response, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal issued a statement on Thursday, neither confirming nor denying Trump’s claim directly. Instead, he emphasized India’s priority to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario” and noted the country’s efforts to diversify energy sources. Jaiswal added that discussions on expanding energy cooperation with the US are ongoing, reflecting a cautious diplomatic approach to avoid public confrontation. This subtle rebuttal underscores India’s commitment to strategic autonomy in foreign policy.
India has been a major buyer of Russian crude oil since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, taking advantage of discounted prices that have helped stabilize its economy. Russia is now the top supplier of oil to India, accounting for about one-third of its imports, such as 1.62 million barrels per day in September 2025. This trade has drawn criticism from Western nations, who argue it undermines sanctions intended to curb Russia’s war efforts, but India has consistently defended it as essential for energy security and affordable prices for consumers.
The Trump administration has escalated pressure on India through economic measures, imposing a series of tariffs that now total 50% on Indian goods. These tariffs were specifically linked to India’s oil purchases from Russia, with Trump stating that such imports fund Russia’s military actions. However, India has resisted this pressure, pointing out that other major importers like China have not faced similar penalties. The move has strained US-India trade relations, with Indian officials vowing to protect national interests while seeking to maintain dialogue on broader cooperation.
The discrepancy between Trump’s announcement and India’s denial highlights underlying tensions in the US-India relationship, which has otherwise seen positive developments, such as the appointment of Trump confidant Sergio Gor as the new US ambassador. Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticized Modi, alleging that the prime minister is “frightened of Trump” and allows external interference. Meanwhile, Russia’s ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, deferred to the Indian government, stating that energy cooperation aligns with India’s national interests, reflecting Moscow’s reliance on this trade.
If India were to reduce its Russian oil imports, it could significantly impact global energy markets and Russia’s revenue streams, potentially encouraging other nations to follow suit. Such a shift would align with Trump’s strategy of using bilateral leverage rather than multilateral sanctions to isolate Russia. However, given India’s reliance on affordable energy and its history of resisting external pressure, any change is likely to be gradual and negotiated, with implications for oil prices and geopolitical alignments in the region.
Looking ahead, the situation underscores the complexities of international diplomacy in the context of the Ukraine war. Both the US and India are navigating a delicate balance between economic interests and geopolitical alignments, with future developments hinging on ongoing talks and potential public clarifications from Modi’s government. This episode may test the resilience of US-India ties and influence how other countries approach energy trade with Russia in the coming months.