President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to wind down India’s purchases of Russian oil. The declaration came as Washington increased pressure on Moscow’s energy revenues and sought to isolate the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine.
Trump told reporters that Modi assured him India would stop buying Russian oil “within a short period of time.” He described the decision as “a big stop.”
Washington’s growing pressure on New Delhi
The US president has used India’s dependence on Russian oil as leverage in wider trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, saying its energy strategy protects domestic consumers.
An Indian government spokesman confirmed that discussions with Washington were “ongoing.” He said the US administration had shown “interest in strengthening energy co-operation with India.”
“Our foremost priority is to protect Indian consumers from global energy volatility,” the spokesman said. “Our import policies are shaped entirely by this objective.”
US aims to choke Moscow’s energy profits
Oil and gas remain Russia’s most profitable exports, with China, India and Turkey among its largest buyers. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said his next target was to persuade China to make the same move. He described the effort as part of a broader strategy to limit Moscow’s energy income.
The Trump administration has also urged Japan to halt oil and gas imports from Russia. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had expressed this expectation to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato.
India faces tariffs and a complex transition
Trump admitted that India could not immediately stop importing Russian oil. “It will take a little bit of a process,” he said. “But the process will be over soon.”
Washington has imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, which Trump described as punishment for buying Russian oil and weapons. The tariffs, among the world’s highest, took effect in August. They include a 25% penalty on transactions linked to Russia, a key source of funds for its war in Ukraine.
Neutral stance puts strain on relations
Modi has defended India’s neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war while maintaining close ties with President Vladimir Putin. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, pointing to continued Western trade with Russia.
India relies on discounted Russian crude to fuel its fast-growing economy, now the fifth largest in the world.
The dispute over Russian oil has added tension to relations between Trump and Modi. Still, Trump praised Modi on Wednesday as a “great man.” Modi said last week that he had spoken with Trump and that both leaders “reviewed good progress achieved in trade negotiations.”
