'Spoke to PM Modi': Trump doubles down on claim that India will cut Russian oil imports to nothing
PTC News Desk: US President Donald Trump has once again asserted that India will “significantly cut” its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, claiming he received a personal commitment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The statement comes just a week after Trump made a similar remark, saying Modi had promised to stop buying Russian crude.
Trump’s latest comments suggest a softening of his previously hardline stance towards India, which has often faced US criticism for maintaining its energy trade with Russia.
"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing," the President said.
The US President flagged that nearly 40 per cent of India’s crude imports currently come from Russia.
"India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great," Trump said, adding that the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets but expressed confidence it would be completed by year-end.
Speaking on Tuesday, the President said he had talked with PM Modi on Diwali, adding that their discussion was “mostly about trade.” The next day, Modi responded warmly, thanking Trump for his Diwali greetings and expressing optimism that the “two great democracies” would continue to illuminate the world through “faith and progress.”
Earlier this week, Trump had warned that India would continue facing tariffs if it failed to end Russian oil imports.
“If they said that, then they’ll just keep paying a lot of tariffs — but I don’t think they said that,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday. “I spoke with Prime Minister Modi, and he told me he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing. But if they choose to, they’ll keep paying massive tariffs — and they don’t want that,” he added.
The US has already levied 50 percent tariffs on some Indian products in an attempt to pressure New Delhi to reduce its reliance on Russian crude.
India, however, has defended its stance, saying its energy strategy prioritizes affordability and supply security for its vast and growing population, even as it has ramped up imports of Russian oil amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
- PTC NEWS
