US President Donald Trump has restated that India will significantly decrease its intake of Russian oil by the end of this year, following a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Last week, Trump made a similar claim, stating that Modi had guaranteed India would cease its purchases of Russian oil.
Trump’s recent statement suggests a shift in his firm stance towards India, which has been criticized by the US for maintaining energy connections with Russia. During a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump mentioned that the reduction in oil imports from Russia would be gradual yet substantial.
The President highlighted that currently, almost 40% of India’s crude imports originate from Russia. He commended India for its cooperation, mentioning a recent conversation with Prime Minister Modi where they discussed gradually phasing out Russian oil imports to ensure market stability. Trump expressed confidence that this process would be completed by the end of the year.
In a separate development, Trump reiterated that his recent conversation with PM Modi on Diwali primarily centered around trade. Modi responded warmly, thanking Trump for his Diwali wishes and expressing optimism about the future of the two democracies.
Earlier this week, Trump cautioned that India would face ongoing tariffs if it did not stop importing oil from Russia. The US has already imposed 50% tariffs on certain Indian goods to push India towards diversifying its oil sources away from Russia.
India has consistently emphasized that its energy strategy is aimed at maintaining stable prices and ensuring a steady supply for its growing population, despite the conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s remarks align with the broader US strategy to curb Moscow’s war funding, as evidenced by the recent sanctions imposed on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil to disrupt the Kremlin’s financial resources.