News Brief
Trump’s Russian Oil Remark Puts India’s Trade Strategy To The Test
US President Donald Trump (File Photo)
US President Donald Trump reignited diplomatic tension by claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, reported The Indian EXpress.
The Ministry of External Affairs, however, said it was unaware of such a conversation and reaffirmed India’s stance that oil purchases depend on national interests.
Trump said, “Modi has assured me that there will be no oil purchased from Russia…He’s not buying his oil from Russia. It’s started. You know, he can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is gonna be over soon.”
New Delhi now faces a delicate task as trade negotiators continue discussions on a bilateral deal.
India has made it clear that it will not compromise its strategic autonomy or allow external pressure to dictate its energy choices.
No directive has been reportedly issued to refiners, who decide imports purely on commercial grounds.
Early October data showed imports averaging 1.81 million bpd.
Analysts attributed the slight dip to higher freight costs and reduced discounts, not US pressure. Russian oil still makes up roughly one-third of India’s total crude imports.
Industry experts warned that replacing Russian crude quickly would be complex and costly. Even with diversification toward suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, higher prices and logistics hurdles persist.
