India Reiterates Energy Autonomy; Says Discussions With US Ongoing Amid Trump’s Claim On Russian Oil

India said on Thursday (16 October) that its energy import decisions are driven solely by the goal of protecting domestic consumers in a volatile energy scenario after US President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured to halt Russian oil imports, Indian Express reported.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refrained from commenting on any conversation between PM Modi and Trump but confirmed that India and the US are in talks to expand energy purchases from America.

Jaiswal neither confirmed nor denied if the two leaders spoke on Wednesday, nor did he address Trump’s specific claim that PM Modi pledged to stop buying Russian oil.

"India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” the MEA Spokesperson said in a statement.

"Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” he said, reiterating India’s position since early 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.

“Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” the MEA spokesperson added.

Trump’s claims come as Washington and New Delhi pursue a trade agreement, following the US decision two months ago to levy 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods over oil imports.

The US president also vowed to press China to curb its Russian energy purchases.

Trump stated he had expressed dissatisfaction to PM Modi about India’s ongoing imports of Russian oil, claiming such purchases indirectly support President Vladimir Putin’s war efforts.

Indian officials have signaled readiness to increase energy imports from the US, with September data showing an 11 per cent rise in imports from America even as exports declined by 12 per cent.

Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal on Wednesday noted that India’s crude oil imports from the US have dropped to about $12–13 billion from $25 billion over the last seven to eight years, leaving ample scope—around $12–15 billion—to scale up purchases without worrying about refinery configurations.

Agrawal added that India remains committed to diversifying its energy import portfolio, calling it the most strategic approach for a large energy-consuming nation.

The US’s additional 25 per cent tariff on 27 August—raised total duties on Indian goods to 50 per cent—led to a 12 per cent fall in Indian exports in September.

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