President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pledged to reduce India’s purchases of Russian oil. The statement came as Washington increased pressure on Moscow’s energy revenue and sought to isolate 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 commitment as “a big stop.”
US intensifies pressure on India
The US president has used India’s reliance on Russian oil as leverage in trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, arguing that 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 administration had expressed “interest in expanding energy co-operation with India.”
“Our priority is to protect Indian consumers amid global energy volatility,” the spokesman said. “Our import policies are fully guided by this objective.”
Washington targets Moscow’s energy revenues
Oil and gas remain Russia’s largest exports, with China, India and Turkey among its main customers. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said his next objective was to persuade China to follow India’s example. He described the move as part of a broader US strategy to cut 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 communicated this expectation to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato.
Tariffs and India’s gradual adjustment
Trump acknowledged that India could not immediately stop importing Russian oil. “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 major source of funding for its war in Ukraine.
Neutral stance strains India-US relations
Modi has defended India’s neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war while maintaining close ties with President Vladimir Putin. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, citing ongoing Western trade with Russia.
India depends on discounted Russian crude to support its fast-growing economy, now the fifth largest in the world.
The dispute over Russian oil has created tension 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.”
