President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to scaling back India’s purchases of Russian oil. The statement came as Washington intensified efforts to curb Moscow’s energy revenue and increase pressure 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 called the pledge “a big stop.”
US ramps up 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 support national economic growth.
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 revenues
Oil and gas remain Russia’s most lucrative exports, with China, India and Turkey among its top customers. 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 stop importing 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 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 creates 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 oil dispute 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.”
