India Rejects Trump’s Claim, Reaffirms Commitment to Buy Russian Oil to Protect Consumers Amid Global Price Volatility

New Delhi: India on Thursday firmly reiterated its stance on continuing crude oil imports from Russia, rejecting recent claims by former US President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him of ending such purchases.

In a detailed response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that India’s energy procurement decisions are shaped solely by national interests and the need to ensure energy security for its citizens.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s import policies are “guided by the objective of safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario.” He further stated, “Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”

Jaiswal underscored that India, as one of the world’s largest importers of oil and gas, cannot afford disruptions to its energy supply chain. “Our approach has always been pragmatic — focused on availability, affordability, and security,” he added.

The comments came shortly after Trump claimed during a campaign rally that Prime Minister Modi had “assured” him India would soon stop buying Russian crude. The MEA’s clarification effectively rebuts the assertion, signaling that New Delhi remains committed to a diversified and balanced energy strategy.