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

Trump's Statements and India's Reaction

Earlier this week, Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had given him assurances “this very day” that India would put an end to its purchase of Russian oil.

“I was not happy that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me today that they will cease purchasing oil from Russia. Understandably, it cannot happen instantly. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be completed shortly,” the former president told reporters.

Nevertheless, in a press briefing on the following day, representatives from India appeared to undermine the American leader's version, stating that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump the previous day”.

Context of India-Russia Relations and Oil Purchases

The South Asian nation, which maintains a strong relationship with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian crude since the invasion of the Eastern European country.

This has become a major point of dispute with the United States in the past few months, since Trump failed to secure a peace deal with Russia.

• In August, the American leader imposed some of his highest tariffs on India to sanction its purchase of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged the Indian government of contributing funds to Russia’s aggression in the conflict zone.
• India is facing extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a base of 25%.

New Delhi's Stance and Oil Strategy

India has publicly stood firm, claiming it would not let the United States dictate its fuel requirements or meddle in its partnership with Russia, which dates back to the cold war.

Russia continues to be the primary source of military equipment to India.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over trade and tariffs were still in progress.

A statement by the foreign ministry said the priority was to “safeguard the well-being of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario” and that all strategies were dictated by the necessity to broaden and ensure India’s energy sources.

Advantages and Consequences

The Indian economy has gained substantial advantages from its purchase of cut-price Russian oil since Russia's extensive military campaign of Ukraine in early 2022, establishing itself as one of its leading buyers globally, only behind the Chinese market.

However, it has led to a significant decline in US-India relations.

The White House has increasingly sought to accuse Delhi of financing the Russian president, President Putin's operations against the Ukrainian state, describing the war as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on Wednesday the US president praised enthusiastically of Modi. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He loves Trump,” he remarked.