Former U.S. President Donald Trump has claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India will cease purchasing oil from Russia, marking what could be a major diplomatic and economic shift if confirmed by New Delhi.
Speaking at a White House event, Trump said that he had raised concerns about India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil and that Prime Minister Modi assured him the practice would end soon. “I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step,” Trump said. He further added that while the transition might take some time, it would be completed in the near future, describing it as “a little bit of a process.”
Trump also expressed hope that China would follow India’s example, stating that his administration was working to convince other major economies to reduce their dependence on Russian energy.
If India were to halt Russian oil imports, it could have significant implications for the global energy market. India has been among Russia’s largest crude oil buyers since 2022, when Western sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine invasion reshaped global trade flows. Russian oil has accounted for nearly one-third of India’s total crude imports, purchased at discounted rates amid international price volatility.
The U.S. has previously voiced its disapproval of India’s energy dealings with Russia, linking the purchases to weakened Western sanctions. Washington has also imposed trade-related measures against countries continuing to buy Russian oil, adding to the geopolitical tension.
However, as of now, the Indian government has not officially confirmed Trump’s claim or issued any statement in response. Indian officials have consistently maintained that the country’s oil imports are guided by national energy security and market stability rather than external political pressures.
If confirmed, Modi’s reported assurance could signal a turning point in India’s energy diplomacy, potentially aligning it more closely with Western positions on Russia. The development also comes at a sensitive time, as global powers weigh fresh strategies to contain Moscow’s oil revenues while balancing their own energy needs.