Trump Says Modi Committed to Stop Russian Oil Purchases
President Donald Trump on Wednesday told reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally pledged to discontinue India’s purchases of Russian oil, marking what Trump described as “a big step” in the U.S. effort to squeeze Moscow’s energy revenues
During a White House press session, Trump said he confronted Modi over India’s oil imports from Russia, which the U.S. views as indirectly supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. Modi, according to Trump, gave assurance that India would phase out these purchases.
“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,” Trump said. “Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing.”
India’s Response and Commercial Realities
So far, India has neither confirmed nor denied Trump’s account. The Indian government has maintained that energy procurement decisions are driven by national interests—ensuring supply stability and reasonable consumer prices.
Insiders and analysts caution that India’s refiners currently make purchases based on commercial considerations, not political diktat. Some reports indicate that the government has not instructed refiners to cease buying Russian crude.
Meanwhile, the Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) reportedly continues to evaluate lower–cost crude sources, including Russia, reflecting the pressure to balance energy security with cost constraints.
Geopolitical Stakes & Challenges
Trump has repeatedly sought to isolate Russia by targeting its energy lifelines. India and China are among the largest purchasers of Russian crude, benefitting from steep discounts after Western sanctions were imposed. Radeo news
By securing India’s commitment to step away from Russian oil, Trump aims to amplify pressure on Moscow—and lever that position in dealing with China. Radeo news
But the timeline and mechanics of India’s possible shift remain vague. Trump acknowledged the change would not be immediate, calling the transition “a little bit of a process,” though he expressed confidence that it would conclude “soon.” Radeo news
If you’d like, I can produce a follow-up deep dive on how credible the assurance is, what India’s energy portfolio looks like, and how Russia might respond. Do you want me to write that next?
