President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to reduce India’s purchases of Russian oil. The announcement came as Washington increased pressure on Moscow’s energy revenue and sought to push the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine.
Trump told reporters that Modi assured him India would halt Russian oil imports “within a short period of time.” He described the pledge as “a big stop.”
US intensifies pressure on India
The US president has leveraged India’s reliance on Russian oil in trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, saying its energy policies protect domestic consumers and safeguard the national economy.
An Indian government spokesman confirmed that discussions with Washington were “ongoing.” He said the US had expressed “interest in strengthening energy co-operation with India.”
“Our priority is to safeguard Indian consumers amid global energy volatility,” the spokesman said. “Our import policies are fully guided by this objective.”
Washington targets Moscow’s energy revenue
Oil and gas remain Russia’s most profitable exports, with China, India and Turkey among its main buyers. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said his next goal was to persuade China to follow India’s example. He described the effort as part of a broader plan to reduce Moscow’s energy income.
The Trump administration has also urged Japan to halt imports of Russian oil and gas. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had conveyed this expectation to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato.
Tariffs and India’s gradual shift
Trump acknowledged that India could not immediately end Russian oil imports. “It will take a little bit of a process,” he said. “But the process will be over soon.”
Washington has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which Trump described as punishment for buying Russian oil and weapons. The tariffs, among the world’s highest, took effect in August. They include a 25% penalty on transactions linked to Russia, a key source of funding for its war in Ukraine.
Neutral stance adds tension
Modi has defended India’s neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict while maintaining close ties with President Vladimir Putin. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, citing ongoing Western trade with Russia.
India relies on discounted Russian crude to fuel its fast-growing economy, now the fifth largest in the world.
The dispute over Russian oil has strained relations between Trump and Modi. Still, Trump praised Modi on Wednesday as a “great man.” Modi said last week that he had spoken with Trump and that both leaders “reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations.”
