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India has raised doubts regarding assertions made by President Trump that PM Modi had committed to stop purchasing Russian crude oil.

The US President's Statements and India's Response

Earlier this week, Donald Trump stated that Prime Minister Modi had assured him “this very day” that India would discontinue its purchase of Russian oil.

“I was displeased that the Indian administration was buying oil, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Understandably, it cannot happen instantly. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be over with soon,” the former president informed reporters.

However, in a media conference on the following day, Indian officials seemed to contradict the American leader's version, clarifying that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump the previous day”.

Context of Indo-Russian Relations and Oil Acquisitions

The South Asian nation, which maintains a close ties with the Kremlin, has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude since the invasion of Ukraine.

It has been a significant source of contention with Washington in recent months, after Trump failed to secure a peace deal with Russia.

• During the summer, the American leader enforced significant import duties on the Indian economy to sanction its procurement of Russian crude.
• He accused Delhi of helping to finance Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
• The country is subject to extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a base of a quarter.

New Delhi's Position and Energy Policy

The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, asserting it would not allow the United States dictate its energy needs or interfere in its partnership with the Russian Federation, which originates from the cold war.

Russia remains the largest supplier of military equipment to India.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.

A statement by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the priority was to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and ensure India’s energy sources.

Benefits and Consequences

The Indian economy has gained substantial advantages from its purchase of discounted Russian oil since Russia's extensive military campaign of its neighbor in early 2022, becoming one of its leading buyers globally, second only to China.

Nonetheless, it has led to a significant decline in US-India relations.

The White House has increasingly sought to accuse Delhi of bankrolling the Kremlin leader, President Putin's operations against Ukraine, labeling the war as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

Yet, on that same day the US president praised enthusiastically of the Indian prime minister. “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump,” he said.