Key Takeaways
- Trump claims Modi agreed to halt Russian oil imports
- India maintains no definitive decision has been made
- US pressure extends to Japan amid ongoing energy diplomacy
US President Donald Trump has asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to stopping Russian oil imports during their recent conversation. This claim comes as India clarifies that discussions are still ongoing with no final decision announced.
Contentious Energy Relations
India’s growing Russian energy imports since the Ukraine war began have strained India-US relations during Trump’s second term. The US administration imposed secondary sanctions including 50% tariffs on Indian goods, marking the first significant tension in bilateral ties in years.
Trump told White House reporters that Modi agreed to phase out Russian oil purchases during an undisclosed Wednesday conversation. “I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump stated, calling it a “big step.”
The President acknowledged India couldn’t “immediately” halt shipments, describing the transition as “a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon.”
India’s Official Position
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that energy policies prioritize consumer interests, stable prices, and diversified supplies. “No definitive decision on Russian oil imports has been announced,” Jaiswal clarified in Thursday’s statement.
Jaiswal explained India’s consistent focus on safeguarding consumer interests in volatile energy markets, with import policies guided entirely by this objective. The statement noted ongoing discussions with the US administration about deepening energy cooperation.
India’s Energy Import Profile
As the world’s largest oil importer, India has become a major buyer of Russian crude since 2022, importing 1.62 million barrels daily in September – roughly one-third of its total oil imports. However, India has accused Washington of selective pressure, noting Trump has largely avoided similar demands on China, which remains the largest purchaser of Russian energy.
Expanding US Pressure Campaign
Analysts suggest the US-China trade war complicates diplomatic efforts, with Trump reluctant to escalate tensions further by demanding China halt Russian energy imports. The administration has now turned pressure toward Japan.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed discussing with Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato the “administration’s expectation that Japan stop importing Russian energy.”
While Japan has pledged to phase out Russian oil under G7 sanctions coordination, it continues importing Sakhalin Blend crude, which provides about 9% of Japan’s total LNG imports and remains crucial for energy security.
Minister Kato responded that “Japan will do what it can based on the basic principle of coordinating with G7 countries to achieve peace in Ukraine in a fair manner.”
