US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including a claim that India promised to stop buying Russian oil and a quip about not wanting to “destroy his political career,” have drawn a measured but firm response from New Delhi.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) categorically denied any recent phone conversation between the two leaders, reiterating that India’s energy decisions are based on national interest, not foreign pressure.
“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,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, asserting India’s sovereign decision-making.
Trump’s Claim and Political Spin
Speaking at a campaign event, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had “assured” him India would stop buying oil from Russia, adding “I don’t want to destroy his political career.” He simultaneously praised Modi as a “great friend” who “loves Trump” while incorrectly suggesting that India “had a new leader every year” before Modi’s rise.
The comments come amid rising US–India trade tensions, with Washington’s 50% tariffs on Indian goods linked partly to India’s continued purchase of Russian crude a move the US argues indirectly supports Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
India’s Oil Policy: Pragmatic, Not Political
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has increased its share of Russian crude from under 1% to nearly 40% since 2022, capitalising on discounted rates after Western sanctions.
New Delhi maintains that these purchases stabilised global prices and were consistent with its economic priorities.
“We have, for years, worked to expand and diversify our energy procurement including with the United States,” the MEA said, noting ongoing discussions on energy cooperation.
Tariffs, Trade, and Trump’s Turn of Phrase
Trump’s remarks come just as an Indian trade delegation is in Washington for the sixth round of talks aimed at finalising a long-pending bilateral trade agreement.
While the Modi government has stayed diplomatically calm, India’s opposition seized the opportunity to criticise the Prime Minister’s silence.
“Trump hamara baap hai kya? (Is Trump our father?) Why is our Prime Minister quiet when he makes such remarks?” Congress MP Imran Masood said, accusing Modi of weakness on foreign policy.
Personal Jibes and Political Theatre
Despite his mixed messages, Trump has continued to praise Modi publicly even sending him a framed photo earlier this month with the note: “Mr Prime Minister, you are great!”
Yet, in the same breath, he has repeatedly claimed to have “stopped wars,” including one between India and Pakistan, by threatening both nations with “100-200% tariffs.”
“If I didn’t have tariffs, you could’ve never settled that war,” Trump told reporters before leaving for the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt.
Observers say Trump’s recent comments are part of his campaign trail theatrics and his lingering frustration that Modi did not back his Nobel Peace Prize nomination, unlike Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif, who publicly praised him at the summit.
India’s Stance: Diplomacy Over Drama
Modi has not responded directly to Trump’s rhetoric, choosing instead to focus on calls for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and strengthening domestic production.
New Delhi continues to balance relations with Washington while firmly rejecting external interference in its trade or energy policies.
