US President Donald Trump on Wednesday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling him a “great man” and “my friend,” while claiming that India had agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia — a move he described as a “big step” in pressuring Moscow over the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump lauded Modi’s leadership and long tenure, saying, “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump. I don’t want to destroy his political career.” He further remarked that India’s political stability under Modi’s rule marked a major shift from the frequent leadership changes in earlier decades.
Trump asserted that the Indian government had assured him of halting oil imports from Russia, following Washington’s imposition of punitive tariffs on nations continuing trade with Moscow. “He assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia. It’s a process, but it will be over soon,” Trump said.
India’s Response
Reacting to Trump’s comments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that India’s energy policy prioritizes the interests of Indian consumers and energy security amid global volatility.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. Our policies are guided by the objective of ensuring stable prices and secured supplies,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, stressing that India’s procurement strategy involves diversification based on market conditions.
The MEA also highlighted India’s ongoing efforts to expand energy cooperation with the United States, noting that discussions are “progressing steadily.”
Background: Russian Oil and Sanctions
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, significantly increased crude imports from Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, taking advantage of discounted prices. Russian crude currently accounts for around 40% of India’s oil imports, compared with less than 1% before the war.
The United States has expressed concern that such purchases indirectly help fund Russia’s military operations. “We were not happy about India buying oil from Russia because that lets Russia continue this ridiculous war,” Trump said, calling on President Vladimir Putin to “stop killing Ukrainians and Russians.”
He added that India could resume energy trade with Moscow “after the war is over.”
Tariff Tensions
India-US trade relations have also been strained after Trump doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50%, adding a further 25% duty linked to India’s Russian crude imports. New Delhi criticized the move as “unfair and unjustified.”
Despite the friction, both sides continue to explore avenues for deeper strategic and energy cooperation, particularly in the context of regional stability and countering China’s growing influence.
