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India has raised doubts regarding assertions made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to cease buying Russian oil.

The US President's Statements and India's Response

Earlier this week, Donald Trump claimed that Modi had given him assurances “this very day” that India would discontinue its purchase of oil from Russia.

“I was not happy that India was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has assured me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. You know, you can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the transition is going to be completed shortly,” the former president informed reporters.

Nevertheless, in a press briefing on the following day, representatives from India appeared to undermine the US president’s account, clarifying that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday”.

Background of India-Russia Ties and Oil Purchases

India, which upholds a strong relationship with the Russian government, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil since the military action of the Eastern European country.

This has become a significant source of contention with Washington in the past few months, since Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

• In August, the American leader enforced significant import duties on the Indian economy to sanction its procurement of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged Delhi of contributing funds to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
• India is subject to additional 25% import tariffs, in addition to a standard of a quarter.

India's Stance and Oil Policy

The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, claiming it would not let the United States determine its energy needs or interfere in its partnership with Russia, which originates from the cold war.

Moscow continues to be the largest supplier of military equipment to India.

Just before Trump's remarks, the administration in New Delhi said discussions with the US over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.

A statement by the foreign ministry said the main goal was to “protect the interests of the citizens of India in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were guided by the necessity to broaden and secure India’s energy sources.

Advantages and Repercussions

India has reaped significant benefit from its acquisition of discounted crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in early 2022, establishing itself as one of its top purchasers worldwide, only behind the Chinese market.

However, it has resulted in a severe deterioration in US-India relations.

The White House has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of bankrolling the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin’s operations against the Ukrainian state, describing the war as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on that same day the US president praised enthusiastically of Modi. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he remarked.