India’s foreign ministry says it is “not aware” of a phone call in which Donald Trump claimed Narendra Modi agreed to halt Russian oil purchases…reports Asian Lite News
India’s foreign ministry has said it is “not aware” of a phone call in which President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil. The statement, issued on Thursday, casts doubt on Trump’s assertion a day earlier that India had pledged to cut off Russian energy supplies in support of Western efforts to pressure Moscow over the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump said his Indian counterpart had “assured me today” that India would end Russian oil imports “within a short period of time.” The comment appeared to suggest a major policy shift by New Delhi, which has become one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the start of the war.
However, asked about the supposed conversation during a press briefing in New Delhi on Thursday, a foreign ministry spokesperson said he was “not aware of any conversation between the two leaders” taking place the previous day. The response effectively denied Trump’s claim that a call had taken place.
The Indian government had earlier issued a more cautious statement on Wednesday that avoided confirming or denying Trump’s version of events. It said: “Our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”
The clarification on Thursday, which explicitly stated that there was no record of such a conversation, raises further questions over whether Trump’s comments reflected an actual discussion or a mischaracterisation of ongoing talks between the two governments.
India has emerged as a crucial energy customer for Russia since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While the US and its European allies moved swiftly to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas, India has expanded its purchases, taking advantage of heavily discounted rates. The Kremlin’s ability to maintain revenue from energy exports has been largely supported by India and China’s continued demand.
The Trump administration has intensified diplomatic pressure on New Delhi to reduce its energy ties with Moscow. Trump’s latest claim appeared designed to show progress on that front, as his administration continues to look for ways to increase the Kremlin’s economic isolation and force an end to the war.
Relations between Washington and Delhi have been strained over the issue. While both governments maintain that the strategic partnership remains strong, India’s insistence on pursuing its own energy security priorities has frustrated US officials seeking to align global allies against Russia.
Under Modi, India has defended its right to purchase Russian crude, arguing that the imports are necessary to stabilise domestic fuel prices for its vast population. Indian officials have repeatedly said that Western sanctions on Moscow should not come at the expense of developing economies. Modi’s government has also accused Ukraine’s Western allies of hypocrisy, pointing to continuing—albeit reduced—energy trade between Russia and European countries.
India is now the second-largest buyer of Russian energy after China. According to analysts, the country’s import of discounted Russian crude has helped offset rising global prices while simultaneously providing a financial lifeline to Moscow’s oil sector. The dynamic has created a geopolitical dilemma for Washington, which has sought to court India as a counterweight to China while also demanding stricter adherence to Western sanctions against Russia.
The issue gained renewed urgency this week after the UK government announced fresh sanctions targeting firms accused of facilitating Russian oil exports. Among them was India’s Nayara Energy Limited, which British officials said imported 100 million barrels of Russian crude worth more than $5bn (£3.75bn) in 2024. The sanctions were part of what London described as its continuing effort to close loopholes that allow Russian oil to reach global markets indirectly.
The Trump administration has adopted a harder line on India’s Russian energy ties since peace efforts between Washington and Moscow collapsed earlier this year. Officials in the US have said privately that they expect “clearer movement” from Delhi in coming months to reduce purchases of Russian oil, though India has not made any formal commitment to do so.
Despite the diplomatic friction, Indian officials insist their foreign policy remains independent and driven by national interest. “We make decisions based on our own energy needs,” one senior official said earlier this week, before Trump’s remarks. “Our engagement with any partner is guided by what is best for the Indian people.”
Trump’s claim that Modi had given him personal assurances may have been intended to signal progress to his domestic audience, where he has faced criticism for not securing greater international support against Russia. But the Indian government’s denial suggests no such breakthrough has occurred.
The apparent discrepancy between Trump’s statement and Delhi’s response has left observers questioning the credibility of the US account. With both governments facing internal and external pressures, the episode underscores the growing complexity of managing their strategic partnership amid diverging priorities on Russia and the Ukraine war.
As of Thursday evening, neither the White House nor the Indian Prime Minister’s Office had released any transcript or official readout of a conversation between Trump and Modi. Without confirmation, the Indian foreign ministry’s statement that it was “not aware” of such a call stands as the only official record—leaving Trump’s assertion hanging in doubt.
