India on Tuesday firmly rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, reiterating that New Delhi’s energy policy is driven solely by domestic consumer interests and supply stability, not foreign pressure.
In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s energy imports are guided by national priorities and the need to safeguard citizens against volatility in global oil prices.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” Jaiswal said.
He added that India’s focus remains on ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies, achieved through broad-based sourcing and diversification across markets.
“Where the U.S. is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal noted.
The Claim and the Context
President Trump had earlier claimed that PM Modi had assured him that India would cease Russian oil imports, albeit gradually.
“He’s assured me there will be no oil purchases 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 remark drew attention because India has been one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022 a move that Western nations have repeatedly criticized but which New Delhi has consistently defended as necessary for national energy security.
India’s Position on Russian Oil
Since the war began, India has maintained that its decisions on oil procurement are guided by economic pragmatism, not political alignment.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has repeatedly stated that India seeks “the best deal for its citizens” and called out Western double standards, famously remarking that:
“Europe’s problems are not the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems either.”
India’s approach has focused on energy diversification, ensuring continued access to affordable oil from multiple regions including the Middle East, the U.S., and Russia.
Trade Tensions and Political Ripples
India’s continued purchase of Russian crude has been a point of friction with Washington, and one of the factors cited in President Trump’s recent tariff hike on Indian exports.
Following Trump’s latest remarks, Opposition leaders in India targeted the government, alleging weak diplomatic handling.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, accused PM Modi of “bowing to Trump’s dictates.”
“PM Modi is frightened of Trump. He allows Trump to announce that India will not buy Russian oil, keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs, cancels key visits, and remains silent on critical issues,” Gandhi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Pragmatism Over Pressure
India’s response underscores its independent foreign policy stance amid shifting global alliances. As Western economies push for tighter enforcement of Russia sanctions, New Delhi continues to balance strategic autonomy with energy realism a tightrope that reflects both economic necessity and geopolitical maturity.
For India, the message is clear: energy security is non-negotiable, even in the face of international political pressure.
