Trump claims Modi will halt Russian oil purchases

US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would stop buying oil from Russia. This statement comes as part of Trump's efforts to isolate Moscow amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a White House event, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with India's previous oil imports from Russia, stating, "So 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. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing."

Trump acknowledged that halting oil shipments would not happen immediately, describing it as "a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon." He emphasized the importance of this commitment, linking India's oil purchases to the funding of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. He remarked, "This lets Russia carry on with this ridiculous war where they’ve lost a million and a half people."

Despite Trump's claims, the Indian embassy in Washington has not confirmed whether Modi made such a commitment. India's continued imports of Russian oil have been a point of contention, as the US seeks to enforce economic isolation on Moscow. Trump noted that securing Modi's assurance is part of a broader diplomatic strategy to cut off Russia's energy revenue.

India has defended its oil imports from Russia, stating that they are essential for its energy security and economic stability. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has previously remarked, "India’s energy purchases are guided by national interest. We do not import from any country out of political considerations. Our decisions are driven by market realities."

As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how India's energy policy will evolve in response to international pressures and its own economic needs. Trump also mentioned the need to persuade China to follow suit, indicating that this would be a significant step in the global response to the conflict in Ukraine.