US President Donald Trump has reiterated that India has agreed to reduce its purchase of Russian crude. During a phone call on Tuesday, Trump stated that Indian PM Narendra Modi assured him that Delhi was not going to buy much oil from Russia as he too wants to see the war end with Russia-Ukraine.
Modi acknowledged Trump's call and his warm greetings on the festival of Diwali in a social media post but didn't comment on Russian oil.
Trump had made similar remarks last week, but the Indian foreign ministry stated at that time that it was not aware of any phone call between the leaders. On Wednesday, an official at the ministry told the BBC that it had no new comment on Trump's latest remarks.
I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today, as I mentioned before. And we just have a very good relationship. And he's not going to buy much oil from Russia, Trump told reporters during the White House Diwali celebrations on Tuesday. He wants to see the war end with Russia-Ukraine. And, as you know, they're not going to be buying too much oil. So they've cut it way back and they're continuing to cut it way back.
India became one of the biggest markets for Russian oil after Western nations shunned purchases and imposed sanctions on Moscow after the Ukraine war began in 2022. Delhi increased its imports and purchased Russian crude at discounted prices, declaring the decision vital for providing energy security to millions of its citizens. Additionally, Delhi has pointed out that many Western nations, including the US, continue to trade with Russia.
In recent months, US officials have accused Delhi of funding Russia's war against Ukraine by continuing to buy crude oil, a claim that Delhi denies.
The Trump administration has exerted both public and diplomatic pressure on Delhi to diminish its support for Moscow's energy market, as part of efforts to isolate the Kremlin economically and push for an end to the war in Ukraine. Oil and gas remain Russia's largest exports, with China, India, and Turkey being its biggest customers.
As part of this pressure, the US has implemented 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including an additional 25% penalty for purchasing Russian oil. However, the tone from the US president has softened recently as trade negotiations between the two nations progress.
An Indian government spokesperson confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the US administration, which had shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India.
Reports indicate that a deal between India and the US could be announced soon, suggesting that India may agree to gradually reduce its imports of Russian oil.
The BBC has contacted India's commerce ministry for a comment.
