In a recent statement that stirred global headlines, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia. The remarks, made during a media briefing at the White House on Tuesday, have sparked curiosity and debate about India’s next move in balancing its energy needs and diplomatic relationships.
According to Trump, Prime Minister Modi “assured” him that India will gradually phase out Russian crude imports, but added that the process “won’t happen overnight.” The U.S. president described the shift as “a bit of a process,” suggesting that New Delhi might take some time before fully diversifying its oil suppliers.
the Indian government has not yet confirmed or denied Trump’s statement. When asked about the claim, officials from India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that India’s energy policy remains guided by national interests and economic stability. “Our priority is to safeguard India’s energy security,” one official told reporters. “India will continue to explore all options that best serve the interests of its citizens and economy.”
India’s Balancing Act Between Russia and the West
India is currently one of the largest buyers of Russian crude oil, especially since the Ukraine war began in 2022. As Western countries imposed sanctions on Moscow, Russia began offering steep discounts to maintain its export market — and India took advantage of that opportunity. These discounted imports have helped India manage inflation and keep domestic fuel prices relatively stable.
At the same time, India has faced mounting pressure from the United States and European allies to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. Washington argues that continued purchases indirectly help fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Trump’s statement may be seen as an attempt to show diplomatic progress in aligning India closer to Western positions on the Ukraine conflict. But analysts caution that such claims need to be verified through official Indian channels before drawing conclusions.
Ground Reality: Indian Refineries Still Seek Russian Crude
Despite the U.S. pressure, reports suggest that India’s refiners — including Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) — are still seeking cheaper oil sources, including from Russia. According to Reuters, Indian companies continue to negotiate deals that ensure stable supply and cost advantages.
Energy experts believe that India cannot simply cut ties with Russian oil immediately. “About 30–40 percent of India’s crude imports now come from Russia,” said energy analyst Rajiv Sharma. “A sudden halt could disrupt the domestic market, raise prices, and hurt consumers. Any transition will have to be gradual.”
Strategic Autonomy and Energy Security
India’s foreign policy has long been guided by strategic autonomy — the ability to make independent decisions based on national interests rather than external pressure. While New Delhi maintains close ties with Washington, it also values its long-standing defense and energy cooperation with Moscow.
Prime Minister Modi has often emphasized that India will act according to its own national priorities, not international expectations. This makes it unlikely that India will abruptly end Russian oil purchases without a clear alternative supply chain in place.
Unclear Timeline, Global Reactions
Trump’s statement leaves more questions than answers. Without an official confirmation from New Delhi, the exact timeline for any policy shift remains uncertain. Some U.S. officials have also acknowledged that it could take “months, if not years,” for India to significantly scale down its Russian imports.
Meanwhile, markets reacted cautiously to Trump’s remarks. Oil traders said there was no immediate impact on crude prices, as no concrete action has been announced yet.
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Conclusion
While President Trump’s claim has generated global attention, India’s next move will likely depend on economic pragmatism, not political rhetoric. As the world watches, New Delhi must strike a delicate balance — maintaining affordable energy for its population while managing diplomatic expectations from both Washington and Moscow.
For now, the timeline of India’s withdrawal from Russian oil remains unclear, and official confirmation from the Modi government is still awaited.
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