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India has raised doubts regarding assertions made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to cease purchasing Russian crude oil.

The US President's Claims and New Delhi's Response

Earlier this week, Trump claimed that Modi had given him assurances “today” that the Indian government would put an end to its acquisition of Russian oil.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Understandably, you can’t do it immediately. 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 Thursday, Indian officials seemed to contradict the American leader's version, clarifying that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump yesterday”.

Context of Indo-Russian Ties and Crude Purchases

India, which upholds a close ties with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil since the military action of Ukraine.

This has become a significant source of contention with the United States in the past few months, after Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

• During the summer, the US president imposed some of his highest tariffs on India to sanction its purchase of Russian oil.
• He accused Delhi of helping to finance Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
• The country is facing additional 25% import tariffs, on top of a standard of 25%.

India's Position and Oil Policy

The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, asserting it would not let the United States determine its energy needs or meddle in its partnership with Russia, which dates back to the Cold War era.

Russia remains the primary source of arms to the Indian armed forces.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said discussions with the United States over trade and tariffs were ongoing.

A statement by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the priority was to “safeguard the well-being of the Indian consumer in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to diversify and ensure India’s energy sources.

Benefits and Repercussions

India has gained substantial advantages from its acquisition of cut-price crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, becoming one of its leading buyers worldwide, only behind the Chinese market.

Nonetheless, it has resulted in a significant decline in bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi.

US administration has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of financing the Russian president, President Putin's actions against Ukraine, describing the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on that same day the American leader spoke glowingly of the Indian prime minister. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he said.