Trump Says Modi Assured Him India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him that India would halt purchases of Russian oil.

Speaking to ANI, Trump said,

“…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.”

The US president added that he now plans to “get China to do the same thing” and described his relationship with Modi as “great.”

“There will be no oil. He’s not buying oil,” Trump told Reuters, noting that the shift would not be immediate but would occur “within a short period of time.”

Trump has imposed some of the world’s highest tariffs on India, including a total of 50% duties, with an additional 25% specifically tied to Indian purchases of Russian oil.

The remarks follow a statement last week by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who said India was already diversifying away from Russian oil. Speaking at the Economic Club of New York, Greer emphasized that the US was not trying to dictate India’s international relations:

“India is a sovereign country. They control their own decisions. We aren’t trying to dictate their relations with other countries.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, however, warned that US efforts to pressure India and China to cut trade with Moscow could have economic repercussions.

“If India refuses our energy supplies, it will suffer a certain loss… the people of a country like India… will closely monitor the decisions made by the political leadership and will never allow any humiliation in front of anyone,” Putin said.