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India has raised doubts regarding claims made by President Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to stop buying Russian crude oil.

Trump's Statements and India's Reaction

On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Modi had assured him “this very day” that the Indian government would put an end to its acquisition of oil from Russia.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] has assured me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. You know, it cannot happen instantly. It’s a little bit of a process, but the transition is going to be over with soon,” the former president informed reporters.

Nevertheless, in a press briefing on the following day, representatives from India seemed to contradict the US president’s account, clarifying that there was “no phone call between PM Modi and US President Trump yesterday”.

Context of Indo-Russian Relations and Oil Purchases

India, which upholds a close ties with the Russian government, has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian oil since the military action of the Eastern European country.

This has become a significant source of contention with Washington in the past few months, after the US president failed to secure a peace deal with Moscow.

• During the summer, the American leader enforced some of his highest tariffs on the Indian economy to penalise its purchase of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged the Indian government of contributing funds to Moscow's military actions in the conflict zone.
• India is subject to extra import duties of 25%, on top of a base of 25%.

New Delhi's Stance and Oil Policy

The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, asserting it would not allow the United States dictate its energy needs or interfere in its relationship with Russia, which dates back to the cold war.

Moscow continues to be the primary source of arms to India.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over trade and tariffs were ongoing.

A statement by the foreign ministry said the main goal was to “protect the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario” and that all strategies were guided by the necessity to diversify and secure the nation's fuel supply.

Benefits and Consequences

The Indian economy has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, becoming one of its top purchasers globally, only behind China.

Nonetheless, it has led to a severe deterioration in bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi.

US administration has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of financing the Kremlin leader, Vladimir Putin’s actions against the Ukrainian state, describing the war as “Modi’s war”.

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