President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to limit India’s purchases of Russian oil. The statement came as Washington intensified its push to restrict Moscow’s energy revenues and increase pressure over the war in Ukraine.
Trump told reporters that Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil “within a short period of time.” He described the commitment as “a big stop.”
Washington ramps up pressure on New Delhi
The US president has used India’s reliance on Russian oil as leverage in trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, saying its energy policies serve the country’s economic needs and consumer interests.
An Indian government spokesman confirmed that discussions with Washington were “ongoing.” He said the US had shown “interest in expanding energy co-operation with India.”
“Our priority is to safeguard Indian consumers in a volatile global energy market,” the spokesman said. “Our import policies are guided entirely by this principle.”
Targeting Moscow’s vital energy revenues
Oil and gas remain Russia’s largest exports, with China, India and Turkey among its key customers. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said his next objective was to convince China to follow India’s example. He described the move as part of a wider US effort to cut Moscow’s energy income.
The Trump administration has also pressed Japan to halt imports of Russian oil and gas. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had communicated this expectation to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato during talks in Washington.
India faces tariffs and a gradual shift
Trump acknowledged that India could not immediately stop importing Russian oil. “It will take a little bit of a process,” he said. “But the process will be over soon.”
Washington has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which Trump described as punishment for buying Russian oil and weapons. The tariffs, among the highest in the world, took effect in August. They include a 25% penalty on transactions linked to Russia, a major source of funds for its war in Ukraine.
Neutral stance strains India-US relations
Modi has defended India’s neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war while maintaining strong ties with President Vladimir Putin. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, pointing to ongoing Western trade with Russia.
India depends on discounted Russian crude to support its fast-growing economy, now the fifth largest in the world.
The dispute over Russian oil has created friction between Trump and Modi. Still, Trump praised the Indian leader on Wednesday as a “great man.” Modi said last week that he had spoken with Trump and that both leaders “reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations.”
