No call between PM Modi and Trump, says India after US President’s Russian oil remark
PTC Web Desk: India on Thursday firmly denied US President Donald Trump’s statement that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him over a phone call that New Delhi would stop purchasing oil from Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that no such conversation took place between the two leaders.
c the MEA spokesperson said during a media briefing, adding that a formal response to Trump’s remarks had already been issued.
During a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Trump claimed that PM Modi had spoken to him and agreed to halt India’s imports of Russian crude oil, a step he described as “a big move” in his campaign to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine. Trump said he had expressed dissatisfaction with India’s continued imports of Russian oil, claiming that such purchases indirectly financed President Vladimir Putin’s military operations.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil (from Russia),” Trump told reporters, while asserting that PM Modi had promised to stop the imports. “He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ll get China to do the same,” Trump said.
Without directly naming Trump, the MEA reiterated that India’s energy policy is guided by its national and consumer interests. “Ensuring stable energy prices and securing reliable supplies are our primary objectives,” the ministry said, stressing that decisions are made based on market realities and the welfare of Indian consumers.
Washington has been pressuring India to cut oil imports from Moscow, arguing that the trade helps sustain Russia’s war efforts. Russia currently accounts for nearly one-third of India’s total crude imports. Despite this, New Delhi has maintained that its purchases are legitimate and in line with the country’s economic interests.
Trump’s remarks also triggered a political debate back home, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing Prime Minister Modi of being “submissive” to the US President. Rahul Gandhi claimed that PM Modi had repeatedly allowed Trump to “dictate terms” and failed to firmly counter his statements.
Meanwhile, Russia backed India’s position, affirming that the energy partnership between the two nations remains strong. Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said, “This is a question for the Indian government. India acts based on its national interests, and our energy cooperation fully aligns with those interests.”
- With inputs from agencies
