Washington: Former US President Donald Trump on Wednesday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India will eventually stop buying Russian crude oil, describing the development as a “big step.” Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump praised Modi, calling him a “great man” and referring to India as an “incredible country.”
Trump noted that while India cannot cease Russian oil imports immediately, the process is expected to conclude soon. “He (PM Modi) is not buying his oil from Russia… He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” Trump said.
The former president framed India’s decision in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, emphasizing that reducing Russian oil purchases could help ease tensions. “All we want from President Putin is to stop this, stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians because he’s killing a lot of Russians,” Trump said. He added that India’s eventual halt to Russian oil imports would make resolving the conflict “much easier.”
Since the beginning of the Ukraine war in February 2022, India has faced criticism from the US-led West for importing discounted Russian oil. Critics have argued that such purchases indirectly support Moscow amid the conflict. Trump, now back in office, has been vocal on this issue, even imposing tariffs on certain Indian goods in response.
However, India has consistently defended its energy strategy. Officials maintain that the country’s energy policy prioritizes domestic needs, stable fuel prices, and long-term energy security. The government has stressed that decisions regarding oil imports are guided by national interests and market realities rather than external pressure.
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