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India has raised doubts regarding claims made by Donald Trump that PM Modi had agreed to cease buying Russian crude oil.

The US President's Claims and India's Reaction

On Wednesday, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had assured him “this very day” that India would discontinue its acquisition of oil from Russia.

“I was not happy that India was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. You know, you can’t do it immediately. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be completed shortly,” Trump informed reporters.

However, in a press briefing on Thursday, representatives from India seemed to contradict the US president’s account, stating that there was “no phone call between PM Modi and President Trump yesterday”.

Context of India-Russia Relations and Crude Purchases

The South Asian nation, which maintains a strong relationship with the Russian government, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil since the invasion of Ukraine.

It has been a significant source of contention with the United States in recent months, since Trump was unable to achieve a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

• In August, the American leader enforced significant import duties on India to penalise its procurement of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged the Indian government of contributing funds to Moscow's military actions in the conflict zone.
• India is subject to extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a standard of a quarter.

India's Stance and Oil Policy

India has consistently maintained its position, asserting it would not let the United States determine its fuel requirements or interfere in its partnership with Russia, which originates from the Cold War era.

Russia remains the largest supplier of military equipment to India.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said discussions with the United States over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.

A official communication by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the main goal was to “safeguard the interests of the citizens of India in a volatile energy scenario” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and secure India’s energy sources.

Benefits and Consequences

India has reaped significant benefit from its acquisition of discounted crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, establishing itself as one of its top purchasers worldwide, only behind the Chinese market.

However, it has led to a significant decline in US-India relations.

The White House has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of financing the Russian president, President Putin's operations against the Ukrainian state, describing the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on Wednesday the American leader spoke glowingly of Modi. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he remarked.