US President Donald Trump said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to stop importing Russian oil. This change will not be immediate, but it is a major step in US-India relations.
US President supports India’s plan to stop importing Russian oil
Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India will stop buying oil from Russia. However, this step will not be immediate and will take some time to implement.
Trump’s statement at the Oval Office press briefing
During a press conference in the Oval Office, Trump said:
“Prime Minister Modi told me that he will no longer buy oil from Russia – that is a big stop. Now we need China to do the same.”
The US President called the decision a major step towards limiting Moscow’s oil revenues.
Washington concerned about India’s purchase of Russian oil
Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude, noting that it helps fund Russia’s “ridiculous war” in Ukraine.
He also mentioned that this change will follow “a process” and did not specify a specific timeline.
There was no immediate response from India’s petroleum ministry.
According to CNBC, India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s statement.
Trade tensions between the US and India
- India’s oil trade with Russia has long been a point of contention between Washington and New Delhi.
- In early August, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, bringing the total import duty to 50%.
- In turn, India criticized Washington for maintaining its trade relations with Russia despite the conflict.
Modi’s Assurance on Future Oil Policy
Donald Trump said Modi assured him that India would completely stop buying Russian oil “soon” and would resume imports only after the war in Ukraine ends.
Global oil prices react to the news
Oil prices rose slightly after the news.
Brent crude rose 0.82% to $62.43 a barrel
US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.89% to $58.79 a barrel.
Impact on Global Energy and Geopolitical Relations
Analysts suggest that India’s gradual withdrawal from Russian crude oil could alter global energy flows and further align India with Western countries amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
The announcement marks a significant shift in India’s oil strategy, reflecting closer cooperation between Washington and New Delhi. However, the timeline remains uncertain, and the impact on both economies will depend on how quickly India diversifies its energy imports.
