“We will continue to pay massive tariffs,” says Trump as India refutes claims about stopping Russian oil imports.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again triggered a diplomatic stir by repeating his claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would no longer purchase oil from Russia — a statement that New Delhi has officially denied, calling it “factually incorrect and diplomatically misleading.”
Trump, speaking during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, doubled down on his earlier assertion, stating that during his “private conversation” with Prime Minister Modi, he was told India “is not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.” The Republican leader, known for his confrontational style and unpredictable foreign policy rhetoric, went further to warn that the United States “will continue to pay massive tariffs” as long as “others cheat the system by dealing with hostile nations.”
Trump’s Renewed Claim: “India Won’t Be Doing Russian Oil Anymore”
During his weekend rally, Trump reiterated his belief that global oil politics have become “rigged” under the current administration, claiming that his leadership was the only reason “Russia was contained and China respected America.” He then pivoted to India, asserting once more that Prime Minister Modi personally conveyed to him that New Delhi would cease oil imports from Moscow.
“I spoke to Prime Minister Modi — a terrific man — and he said to me, ‘We are not going to be doing the Russian oil thing anymore,’” Trump told supporters, drawing applause from the crowd.
“But now, because of the weakness in Washington, they’re forced to deal with Russia again. It’s bad for India, bad for America, and great for Putin,” he added.
This is not the first time Trump has made such a claim. Earlier this month, he told Fox Business that “India was backing off Russian oil” following a “personal assurance” from Modi, suggesting that the current U.S. administration “blew up” the progress he had made with global allies.
However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly denied any such communication between the two leaders, clarifying that Prime Minister Modi has not spoken with Donald Trump in recent months, nor has India made any change in its ongoing oil trade strategy with Russia.
India’s Official Response: “No Recent Conversation Took Place”
In an official statement issued late Sunday evening, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal refuted Trump’s comments, describing them as “incorrect and inconsistent with diplomatic facts.”
“There has been no recent conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former U.S. President Donald Trump. India’s position on the import of oil is guided by its national energy security and economic interests,” the statement read.
The Indian government emphasized that its engagement with Russia in the energy sector remains “transparent, lawful, and in line with international regulations.” Officials in New Delhi reiterated that India has consistently advocated for diversification of energy sources and stable global supply chains.
According to government sources, India continues to import discounted Russian crude oil, which has become a major component of its energy mix since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. This policy, officials say, remains driven by “strategic autonomy” — India’s long-standing principle of balancing relations among major global powers.
Backdrop: The Geopolitics of Russian Oil and Western Sanctions
Since the onset of the Ukraine war, Western nations — led by the United States and the European Union — have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russian oil exports. However, India, alongside China, has emerged as a key buyer of Russian crude, benefiting from discounted prices while maintaining that its purchases comply with global rules.
In 2023 and 2024, India’s imports of Russian crude soared by nearly 20%, making Moscow its top oil supplier, ahead of Saudi Arabia and Iraq. This trend has often drawn criticism from Western capitals, but India has stood firm, arguing that its energy needs cannot be dictated by external pressures.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking earlier this year, defended India’s oil trade, saying:
“We don’t ask Europe to stop buying Russian gas. We buy what is necessary for our growth, for our people, and for our national interest.”
Trump’s latest claim suggesting that Modi agreed to end this trade directly contradicts this consistent Indian stance.
Washington Reacts Cautiously to Trump’s Comments
The Biden administration has not formally commented on Trump’s latest statements. However, senior U.S. officials speaking anonymously to American media outlets called Trump’s remarks “unsubstantiated” and “politically motivated.”
One senior diplomat told Politico:
“India has never promised to end its oil trade with Russia. These statements appear to be part of Mr. Trump’s campaign narrative rather than based on diplomatic reality.”
Observers in Washington note that Trump’s comments come amid his efforts to consolidate support among conservative voters who view him as a “strong foreign policy leader” compared to President Joe Biden. The remarks also coincide with Trump’s increasing focus on international trade issues as he gears up for the 2026 midterm campaign season.
India’s Strategic Balancing Act Between Washington and Moscow
For India, the controversy underscores the delicate balancing act it has maintained between the U.S. and Russia. On one hand, New Delhi has deepened defense and technology ties with Washington through the Quad partnership (comprising the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India). On the other, it has preserved a decades-old relationship with Moscow, especially in the energy and defense sectors.
Analysts say Trump’s remarks, though politically charged, highlight the growing sensitivity surrounding India’s global positioning.
Dr. Aparna Pande, a South Asia expert at the Hudson Institute, explained:
“India’s foreign policy is based on multi-alignment. It doesn’t take sides but takes positions. Trump’s comment oversimplifies a complex reality where India simultaneously engages with the U.S. for strategic technology cooperation and with Russia for energy and defense needs.”
Indeed, India’s dependence on Russian crude — which often sells at discounts of $20–$30 per barrel compared to global benchmarks — has helped the country control inflation and sustain post-pandemic growth.
Economists warn that abandoning Russian oil abruptly would not only hurt India’s economy but also strain its global trade balance.
Trump’s Political Calculations: Oil, Trade, and Tariffs
Trump’s statement, though disputed, fits neatly into his broader campaign rhetoric. At his rally, he again blamed “weak trade deals” for America’s rising energy costs and vowed to “rebuild American strength through oil independence.”
“We’re paying massive tariffs while others get rich on dirty deals,” Trump said, repeating a line that drew cheers from his supporters.
“Under my leadership, we had energy dominance. Now we’re begging countries like Venezuela and Iran for oil.”
He went on to argue that India’s alleged withdrawal from Russian oil was “proof that his diplomacy worked,” portraying himself as a leader who could “command respect” from allies and adversaries alike.
However, experts note that Trump’s mention of “massive tariffs” likely refers to the broader trade imbalances with Asian partners — not specifically to oil tariffs — since the U.S. does not directly import significant crude oil from India.
The Indian Media and Public Reaction
Indian media outlets have responded sharply to Trump’s remarks, with several editorials questioning the veracity of his statements. Major publications, including The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and Times of India, highlighted India’s clear denial and framed Trump’s comments as “political theater.”
Social media platforms also saw a flurry of reactions. Indian Twitter users mocked Trump’s “imaginary conversation,” while U.S. commentators viewed it as another instance of Trump’s tendency to make unverifiable claims about foreign leaders.
A senior Indian journalist wrote:
“This is not the first time Trump has invented a Modi quote. But it shows how central India has become in U.S. political discourse — both parties claim close ties, even if facts disagree.”
Diplomatic Implications: A Test for Future U.S.–India Relations
Though Trump is currently out of office, his continued influence in American politics keeps foreign governments alert. His potential return to the presidency in 2028 remains a plausible scenario, and such statements may impact perceptions of long-term bilateral ties.
For India, maintaining bipartisan goodwill in Washington has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy. Both the Modi and Biden administrations have worked to elevate the relationship through defense cooperation, critical technology sharing, and Indo-Pacific strategic alignment.
However, Trump’s repeated claims risk introducing uncertainty into this careful equilibrium. Analysts warn that if such narratives go uncorrected, they could fuel misperceptions about India’s foreign commitments.
“India cannot afford to be drawn into U.S. domestic politics,” said Professor Harsh Pant of King’s College London.
“Every statement like this even if false — complicates the narrative of trust and mutual respect that both sides have built.”
Energy Analysts: “No Sign India Is Slowing Russian Oil Purchases”
Data from global energy trackers shows that India’s Russian oil imports have remained steady throughout 2025. According to energy consultancy Kpler, India imported around 1.6 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in September — nearly 35% of its total imports.
This consistency directly contradicts Trump’s claim that India has “stopped doing the Russian oil thing.” In fact, Indian refiners such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Reliance Industries continue to purchase Russian crude under long-term contracts, refining it domestically and re-exporting products like diesel and aviation fuel.
Economists point out that Indian refiners benefit from re-selling refined fuels to European markets, effectively cushioning India’s trade deficit and strengthening the rupee.
Experts View Trump’s Comments as Campaign Rhetoric
Political observers largely interpret Trump’s comments as part of his re-election messaging, using foreign policy topics to contrast himself with the Biden administration.
Former U.S. diplomat Richard Verma — who served as Ambassador to India under President Obama — commented in an interview that Trump’s claim “should not be taken literally.”
“He’s playing to his base, emphasizing toughness on trade and foreign policy. But diplomacy isn’t a campaign rally — facts matter,” Verma said.
Meanwhile, Indian analysts view New Delhi’s firm denial as a strategic move to prevent escalation. “India’s quick clarification reflects its intent to stay out of partisan debates,” said Dr. Tanvi Madan of the Brookings Institution. “It wants to preserve stability in a relationship that transcends individual leaders.”
Between Politics, Policy, and Perception
Donald Trump’s renewed claim about India’s alleged halt of Russian oil purchases — and Prime Minister Modi’s supposed assurance — appears to be another episode in his long pattern of provocative diplomacy.
For India, the immediate priority is to safeguard its energy interests while avoiding entanglement in U.S. political narratives. For Washington, it’s a reminder that global perceptions of American leadership are shaped not only by policy but also by rhetoric.
While the former president continues to project confidence in his foreign policy legacy, the facts on the ground — and India’s official response — tell a different story. The controversy underscores a deeper truth about international politics in the post-Ukraine era: energy has become the new language of diplomacy, and truth often becomes the first casualty in the battle for perception.
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