Trump’s Claim on Modi’s Assurance to Stop Buying Russian Oil Sparks Diplomatic Storm
A fresh geopolitical controversy erupted this week after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that India would “soon stop buying oil from Russia.” The statement, delivered during a White House press briefing, immediately triggered global headlines and forced the Indian government into damage control mode. Within hours, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification, saying it was “not aware” of any such conversation taking place between the two leaders. The incident has since snowballed into a diplomatic standoff with potentially wide-ranging implications for global energy markets and strategic relations among Washington, Moscow, and New Delhi.
Trump’s Surprising Statement
During a press conference at the White House, President Donald Trump confidently announced that Prime Minister Modi had “assured” him that India was planning to phase out its purchases of Russian crude oil “very soon.” Trump, standing alongside his Energy Secretary and senior advisers, called the decision a “big and bold step” that would “help isolate Moscow economically” amid ongoing tensions over the Ukraine conflict.
“Prime Minister Modi has been a friend of mine for years. He told me personally that India will soon stop buying Russian oil,” Trump said. “It’s a great thing for peace and for freedom. India is doing the right thing.” The remarks, made without documentation or corroborating evidence, sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles and global energy markets.
Reporters immediately pressed the White House for details on the timing and nature of the alleged commitment, but officials declined to provide transcripts or confirmation of a phone call between the two leaders. This raised questions about whether the statement was based on formal discussions or political posturing aimed at demonstrating U.S. influence in global affairs.
India’s Swift and Cautious Response
Within hours of the statement going viral, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a carefully worded response. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in New Delhi that the ministry was “not aware of any recent conversation” between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. He reiterated that India’s energy decisions were guided by two fundamental priorities: safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring energy security through diversified supply sources.
“Our energy policy is based on national interest and stability of supply,” Jaiswal said. “India will continue to make decisions that protect its consumers and sustain its economic growth.” The MEA’s response effectively downplayed Trump’s claim, signaling India’s reluctance to be drawn into a political spectacle that could jeopardize its energy security or relations with Moscow.
Privately, senior Indian officials suggested that Trump’s statement may have been exaggerated or misinterpreted. Several oil industry executives confirmed that there had been no directive from the government to reduce or suspend Russian crude imports. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, continues to rely heavily on Russian crude due to favorable prices and logistical convenience.
Russia’s Measured Reaction
Moscow reacted calmly to the developments, expressing confidence that its energy partnership with India would continue. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told reporters in Moscow that “Russia values its longstanding energy cooperation with India” and expected both sides to maintain their “mutually beneficial trade relationship.”
Russian state-owned media outlets dismissed Trump’s remarks as “political theatre,” suggesting the U.S. president was using India as an example to pressure other nations, such as China and Turkey, to curtail their dealings with Moscow. Analysts in Moscow noted that the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to weaponize energy trade to isolate Russia, even as global demand for oil remains robust.
“India is a sovereign country. It will act based on its own national interests, not on Washington’s wishes,” said Tatiana Romanova, an energy policy analyst at the Russian Academy of Sciences. “Russia has deep commercial and strategic ties with India that go beyond oil, including defense, space, and nuclear energy. Those will not be undone by a single statement.”
Inside India’s Energy Dependence on Russia
India’s energy relationship with Russia is not new—it is built on decades of cooperation and trust. Since 2022, when Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia emerged as India’s largest supplier of crude oil, accounting for nearly 36 percent of total imports in early 2025. The discounted prices offered by Russia allowed India to stabilize domestic fuel costs and curb inflationary pressures.
According to the Petroleum Ministry’s data, Indian refiners purchased over 1.7 million barrels of Russian crude per day during the April–September 2025 period. While this was a slight reduction compared to 2024, it still represented a major share of India’s oil basket. “Switching away from Russian oil overnight is neither practical nor economical,” said an executive from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). “Alternative sources like the U.S. or the Middle East are more expensive and logistically challenging.”
Industry observers argue that India’s decision to diversify energy imports, rather than completely abandon Russian crude, is a pragmatic approach. The government has maintained that it will not allow foreign pressure to dictate its energy policy, particularly when it impacts consumer prices and economic stability.
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| President Donald Trump claims PM Narendra Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil — a statement New Delhi has officially denied. |
Strategic Balancing Between Washington and Moscow
India’s challenge lies in maintaining its delicate balance between two strategic partners—the United States and Russia. While Washington remains a key defense and technology ally, Moscow continues to be a vital supplier of energy and military equipment. The Trump administration’s renewed pressure campaign to isolate Russia has placed India in a difficult position.
“India cannot afford to alienate either side,” said Dr. Meera Shankar, a former Indian ambassador to the U.S. “The government’s priority will be to keep both relationships stable while asserting its strategic autonomy.”
In recent years, India has attempted to deepen its engagement with the United States through defense agreements, technology partnerships, and the Quad alliance. However, Russia remains India’s largest defense supplier, and their cooperation extends to space exploration and nuclear technology. This multifaceted relationship makes any abrupt shift in energy policy highly unlikely.
Economic and Political Implications
If India were to stop importing Russian oil entirely, the economic implications would be significant. Fuel prices could surge, inflation could rise, and supply chain disruptions might follow. Moreover, such a decision could embolden critics who argue that India is succumbing to foreign influence at the expense of national interest.
Conversely, maintaining Russian imports may invite criticism from Western allies and could complicate India’s participation in U.S.-led economic initiatives. As one senior economist noted, “India’s approach has to be nuanced—neither defiant nor submissive. The focus must remain on stability and affordability.”
Politically, the controversy has also become fodder for opposition parties in both India and the United States. Indian opposition leaders accused the Modi government of failing to clarify its stance quickly enough, while U.S. critics claimed Trump was “inventing diplomacy” for political gain ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Media and Global Reactions
International media outlets offered contrasting perspectives on the controversy. Reuters, The Guardian, and Politico emphasized the discrepancy between Trump’s claim and India’s official denial, framing the issue as a “diplomatic misfire.” AP News and Al Jazeera highlighted the broader context of energy geopolitics, suggesting that Trump’s comments were aimed at strengthening Washington’s moral position against Moscow.
In India, mainstream publications like The Hindu and The Times of India underscored the need for “strategic patience” and “quiet diplomacy.” Editorials cautioned against overreacting to the U.S. president’s remarks, noting that Trump’s history of improvisational diplomacy has often led to confusion among allies and adversaries alike.
Social media platforms lit up with debates over whether India should reduce its reliance on Russian oil. Many users expressed skepticism about Trump’s credibility, pointing to his tendency to exaggerate foreign policy achievements for domestic political gain.
What Lies Ahead
For now, India appears determined to maintain its course. While it may gradually diversify its crude sources, a complete halt to Russian imports seems improbable in the near term. The government’s cautious language and the absence of any formal policy shift suggest that India will continue buying Russian oil as long as it serves its national interest.
Diplomatic observers believe that quiet backchannel discussions are already underway between New Delhi and Washington to prevent the issue from escalating further. “Both sides understand the value of their partnership,” said an Indian diplomat. “No one wants this to become a flashpoint.”
Ultimately, this episode underscores the fragile nature of global energy diplomacy in an increasingly polarized world. As great powers compete for influence, countries like India must navigate a complex web of economic necessity and strategic autonomy.
Conclusion: Between Realpolitik and Rhetoric
President Trump’s statement has once again highlighted the unpredictable nature of modern diplomacy, where rhetoric can outpace reality. For India, the episode serves as a reminder of the importance of clarity and communication in international relations. While the government’s prompt response helped contain the situation, the broader challenge of balancing ties with competing global powers remains unresolved.
As energy prices fluctuate and global alliances shift, India’s ability to safeguard its interests without alienating key partners will determine its standing on the world stage. Whether Trump’s claim was a diplomatic misunderstanding or deliberate political theatre, its ripple effects will be felt across capitals for months to come.
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