Trump’s Big Russia Claim: Says India Will Stop Buying Oil — MEA Denies Assurance
October 18, 2025 Washington, D.C. / New Delhi
President Donald Trump speaking at the White House press conference
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In a dramatic turn of diplomatic theater, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would cease purchasing oil from Russia. The statement, made during a White House press briefing and later echoed in a bilateral lunch with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has triggered swift denials from New Delhi and raised fresh tensions in India-U.S. relations.
“India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore,” Trump declared, adding that Modi had personally conveyed this decision to him.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded promptly, stating that no such assurance was given. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s energy policy remains guided by national interest and consumer affordability, not external pressure.
The claim comes just days after Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports, citing India’s continued energy ties with Moscow. Analysts suggest the statement may be part of a broader strategy to pressure India into aligning with U.S. sanctions against Russia.
India has been one of the largest importers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine conflict began, helping stabilize domestic fuel prices. Despite Western pressure, India has maintained a policy of strategic autonomy in its energy sourcing.
The timing of Trump’s remarks—during Diwali week and amid sensitive trade negotiations—has sparked criticism from Indian commentators, who view the statement as “politically loaded” and potentially disruptive to bilateral trust.
As India and the U.S. navigate a complex web of tariffs, energy diplomacy, and strategic realignment, Trump’s bold assertion adds a new layer of intrigue to an already tense geopolitical equation.
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