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Indian authorities have expressed doubts regarding assertions made by President Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to stop buying Russian oil.

Trump's Claims and New Delhi's Reaction

On Wednesday, Donald Trump stated that Prime Minister Modi had assured him “this very day” that India would discontinue its purchase of Russian oil.

“I was displeased that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Understandably, you can’t do it immediately. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be completed shortly,” the former president told reporters.

Nevertheless, in a media conference on Thursday, Indian officials appeared to undermine the American leader's version, stating that there was “no phone call between PM Modi and President Trump yesterday”.

Background of India-Russia Relations and Crude Purchases

The South Asian nation, which maintains a close ties with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian crude since the military action of the Eastern European country.

It has been a major point of dispute with Washington in recent months, after the US president was unable to achieve a peace deal with Russia.

• During the summer, the US president imposed some of his highest tariffs on the Indian economy to penalise its procurement of Russian crude.
• He accused Delhi 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%.

India's Stance and Oil Strategy

India has publicly stood firm, claiming it would not allow the US dictate its energy needs or meddle in its relationship with the Russian Federation, which originates from the cold war.

Russia remains the largest supplier of military equipment to the Indian armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over commerce and import duties were still in progress.

A official communication by the foreign ministry said the main goal was to “safeguard the well-being of the citizens of India in a volatile energy scenario” and that all strategies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and secure India’s energy sources.

Advantages and Repercussions

India has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, establishing itself as one of its leading buyers worldwide, second only to China.

However, it has led to a severe deterioration in US-India relations.

The White House has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of bankrolling the Russian president, President Putin's actions against Ukraine, labeling the conflict as “Modi’s war”.

Yet, on that same day the US president praised enthusiastically of Modi. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he said.