Indian officials Cast Skepticism on President Trump's Claims About Halting Russian Oil Purchases
Indian authorities have expressed skepticism regarding assertions made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to cease buying Russian crude oil.
The US President's Claims and New Delhi's Reaction
On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Modi had given him assurances “this very day” that the Indian government would discontinue its purchase of Russian oil.
“I was displeased that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will cease purchasing oil from Russia. Understandably, you can’t do it immediately. There is a procedural aspect, but the process is going to be over with soon,” the former president informed reporters.
Nevertheless, in a press briefing on the following day, representatives from India appeared to undermine the US president’s account, clarifying that there was “no telephonic conversation between PM Modi and President Trump the previous day”.
Context of Indo-Russian Relations and Oil Acquisitions
The South Asian nation, which upholds a strong relationship with the Russian government, has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil since the invasion of the Eastern European country.
It has been a major point of dispute with Washington in the past few months, after Trump failed to secure a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
- During the summer, the American leader enforced significant import duties on the Indian economy to penalise its purchase of Russian crude.
- He accused the Indian government of helping to finance Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
- India is subject to extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a base of a quarter.
India's Stance and Energy Strategy
The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, asserting it would not let the US determine its fuel requirements or interfere in its relationship with the Russian Federation, which dates back to the cold war.
Russia remains the largest supplier of military equipment to the Indian armed forces.
Earlier on Wednesday, the administration in New Delhi said discussions with the United States over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.
A official communication by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the main goal was to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and secure India’s energy sources.
Benefits and Repercussions
India has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of discounted crude from Russia since Russia's extensive military campaign of Ukraine in early 2022, becoming one of its leading buyers globally, second only to China.
Nonetheless, it has led to a severe deterioration in US-India relations.
US administration has increasingly sought to accuse Delhi of bankrolling the Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s operations against Ukraine, labeling the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.
Yet, on that same day the American leader praised enthusiastically of the Indian prime minister. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he said.
