Trump Claims Modi Pledged to End Russian Oil Imports; India Stays Silent

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would curb its imports of Russian seaborne crude oil. This claim comes months after the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent punitive tariff on New Delhi for its continued purchases of Russian energy.

President Trump told reporters that he is now working to convince China—the other top buyer of Russian seaborne crude—to follow suit, as Washington attempts to intensify efforts to cut off Moscow's energy revenues.

“He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) has assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia... You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” Trump said.

Trump went on to claim that if India stops purchasing Russian oil, it would "make it much easier" for him to broker a truce between Russia and Ukraine. He added that, following the war, the countries "will go back to Russia after the war is over.”

India’s Stance and Punitive Tariffs

India has not immediately confirmed or denied President Trump's remarks.

Despite the U.S. tariffs, New Delhi has consistently defended its policy of buying discounted oil from Russia, a historic partner. India maintains that Russian oil imports are essential to keep domestic energy prices low and stabilize its market. India has previously labeled the U.S. tariffs as "unjustified."

The Trump administration's recent imposition of a 25 percent punitive tariff brings the total U.S. levies on India to 50 percent, ranking them among the highest in the world. India is the only major economy to be hit by what Trump has termed “secondary tariffs,” even though China remains a significant buyer of Russian crude. (newscenter)