Trump Claims Modi Promised to Stop Buying Russian Oil, Says He Doesn’t Want to ‘Destroy’ PM’s Career

US President Donald Trump added another twist to his series of statements about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, October 16, claiming that Modi assured him India would halt purchases of Russian oil and asserting that he did not want to “destroy [Modi’s] political career.”

The Modi government denied that such a phone conversation took place. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s sovereign decision-making on energy imports. “It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Trump’s remarks, including the personal jibe about Modi’s career, drew attention as yet another example of his unpredictable statements regarding India. “I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big stop,” Trump claimed.

Energy Tensions and Trade Talks

The issue of Russian oil, which the US says helps fund Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, remains a sticking point in ongoing but uneven US-India trade negotiations. India, the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels after China, has been subject to US tariffs partially over these purchases.

India has maintained its red lines, including restrictions on US farm and dairy imports, and PM Modi has emphasized protecting farmers’ interests. Meanwhile, the government has stressed diversifying energy sources. “Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. Discussions are ongoing,” MEA noted.

Since the 2022 Ukraine conflict, India has increased its Russian oil imports sharply — from less than 1% to nearly 40% of its crude imports — taking advantage of discounted prices amid Western sanctions. India has also argued that the US once encouraged such purchases to help stabilize global oil markets.

Trump’s Praise and Errors

Trump, while criticizing Modi on energy, also praised him as a “great leader” and “great friend,” claiming that “he (Modi) loves Trump.” He inaccurately claimed India had a new leader every year before Modi, overlooking the 10-year Congress-led UPA government prior to the BJP-led NDA’s 11-year tenure.

Trump’s statements come amid his ongoing focus on South Asia. He repeatedly claims credit for defusing potential conflicts between India and Pakistan, despite India denying any direct US pressure in these matters. At the recent Gaza Peace Summit, Trump brought Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif on stage, who praised him for “stopping the war,” while Modi was again called a “great friend.”

Domestic Reactions and Diplomacy

Some analysts suggest Trump may be frustrated that Modi has not endorsed his Nobel Peace Prize bid for allegedly “stopping wars,” unlike Sharif. Earlier this month, Trump sent Modi a framed photo of the two with a handwritten note: “Mr Prime Minister, you are great!”

Within India, political opposition has criticized Modi’s muted response to Trump’s statements. Congress MP Imran Masood remarked, “Trump hamara baap hai kya? (Is Trump our father?) Why did he tell us everything while our Prime Minister stays silent? What secret is being kept? Are we being pulled back into those same shackles of slavery?”

Meanwhile, India continues its sixth round of trade talks in the US, navigating energy and tariff issues while maintaining a careful diplomatic stance. Domestically, Modi emphasizes aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and promoting swadeshi (indigenous) products as part of his economic vision.