“Modi Not Going To Do The Russian Oil Thing”: Trump Repeats Disputed Claim Despite India’s Denial

International

oi-Ruchika Pareek

Published: Monday, October 20, 2025, 7:16 [IST]

U.S. President Donald Trump continues to reiterate his claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, even though New Delhi has officially denied the statement and no evidence exists of such a conversation.

Trump's Persistent Assertion

Trump first made the remark on October 15, 2025, during a media interaction at the White House, where he stated that Modi had "assured me today that India will not be buying oil from Russia," describing it as a "big step" toward reducing Moscow's energy revenues amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Since then, Trump has repeated the claim at least three times, asserting that "Modi's not going to do the Russian oil thing," portraying it as part of his broader effort to pressure countries engaged in trade with Russia.

India's Response and Clarification

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically rejected Trump's comments. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that there was no record of any such exchange between Modi and Trump on the dates mentioned. Jaiswal reiterated that India's energy policy remains guided by the principles of ensuring affordable prices and secure supplies through diversified sourcing. He added that India continues to buy Russian crude based on prevailing market dynamics.

The Broader Context

Since 2022, India has emerged as one of the largest importers of discounted Russian crude, purchasing around 1.9 million barrels per day - approximately one-third of its total crude oil demand. Analysts note that India is unlikely to abruptly stop these imports, as doing so could disrupt domestic fuel stability and strain its supply chain.

Meanwhile, Trump has recently increased tariffs on several Indian exports by up to 50%, including a 25% penalty linked to India's trade in Russian oil. The move is seen as part of his strategy to exert both economic and diplomatic pressure on New Delhi.

The White House has yet to provide any substantiation for Trump's version of events, while Indian officials have dismissed his repeated assertions as "baseless and politically driven."