US President Donald Trump claims India will sharply cut Russian oil imports by year-end, praises PM Modi

US President Donald Trump has reiterated that India will “sharply reduce” its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, citing a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Just last week, the President made a similar claim, saying that Prime Minister Modi had assured him India would halt its purchases of Russian oil.

Trump’s latest statement hints at a thaw in his tough approach to India, long criticised by the US for maintaining energy ties with Russia.

Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the reduction would be gradual but significant.

“India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can’t just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That’s a big thing,” the President said.

“India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great,” Trump said, adding that the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets but expressed confidence it would be completed by year-end.

TRUMP TONES DOWN ON NEW DELHI

The US President on Tuesday repeated that he had spoken with PM Modi on Diwali, saying their conversation “mostly” revolved around trade. A day later, Modi’s response struck a warmer tone — thanking Trump for his Diwali wishes and expressing hope that the “two great democracies” would keep lighting the world with faith and progress.

Earlier this week, the US President warned that India would face continued tariffs if it did not halt oil imports from Russia.

“Then they’ll just keep paying a lot of tariffs if they said that, but I don’t believe they said that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday. “No, I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing. But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that,” he added.

The US has already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on certain Indian goods as part of its effort to press India to diversify away from Russian crude.

India, which has increased its Russian oil imports despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, has repeatedly said that its energy policy is focused on ensuring stable prices and securing supplies for its large and growing population.

Trump’s comments aligned with Washington’s broader offensive against Moscow’s war funding, as the US Treasury sanctioned two oil giants, Rosneft and Lukoil to curb the Kremlin’s cash flow.

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With inputs from agencies