Trump Claims India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil
The Live Info Media
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to stop India’s purchases of oil from Russia. Trump made the claim during a White House event, stating he was “not happy” with India’s buying and that Modi had assured him they would cease the imports. Trump added that he would next try to persuade China, the other top buyer of Russian oil, to do the same.
Pressure to Cut Moscow’s Revenue
India and China have become Russia’s largest customers for seaborne crude, taking advantage of discounted prices after Western sanctions were imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump has recently pressured India over these purchases, even imposing new tariffs on Indian exports to the U.S. in an effort to discourage the crude buying and put financial pressure on Moscow to negotiate peace.
A Major Shift for India
If confirmed, India’s decision would signal a major shift in its energy policy. Russia is currently India’s top oil supplier, exporting about 1.62 million barrels per day in September, which accounts for roughly one-third of India’s total oil imports. For months, Indian officials had defended the purchases as essential for national energy security, resisting U.S. calls to halt them.
Timing and Future Plans
The announcement comes just days after Trump’s new pick for Indian ambassador, Sergio Gor, met with PM Modi to discuss trade and defense. Trump noted that halting the shipments could not happen “immediately,” calling it “a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon.” A move by India to stop imports would be a major victory for the U.S. strategy of using bilateral relationships to isolate Russia economically.
Broader U.S. Efforts
The pressure is not limited to India. On the same day, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the Trump administration also expects Japan to stop importing Russian energy, signaling a coordinated effort to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues globally. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Washington has not yet commented on whether Prime Minister Modi made the commitment claimed by President Trump.
