India has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump's assertion that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him over the phone that India would cease purchasing Russian oil. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified on Thursday that no such conversation took place between the two leaders. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "As per my information, there was no telephonic conversation between PM Modi and US President Trump yesterday," during a media briefing.

Trump made his claims during a White House event, stating that PM Modi had promised him that India would stop buying oil from Russia, which he described as a "big step" in increasing global pressure on Moscow amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. He expressed dissatisfaction with India's oil imports from Russia, suggesting that these purchases indirectly support President Vladimir Putin's war efforts. Trump remarked, "I was not happy that India was buying oil," and added that he hoped to persuade China to follow suit.

In response, the MEA reiterated that India's energy policy is driven by national interests, focusing on safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile market. The ministry emphasized that ensuring stable energy prices and securing supplies are the primary goals of India's energy strategy. Jaiswal noted, "Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective," highlighting India's significant reliance on oil and gas imports.

The US has been actively encouraging India to reduce its Russian oil imports, which currently account for about one-third of India's total crude imports. The MEA has consistently maintained that India will continue to diversify its energy sources and adjust its procurement strategies based on market conditions. Discussions regarding energy cooperation between India and the US are ongoing, with both nations looking to strengthen their ties in this sector.