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Indian authorities have expressed doubts regarding assertions made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil.

The US President's Statements and India's Response

On Wednesday, Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi had assured him “this very day” that the Indian government would put an end to its acquisition of oil from Russia.

“I was displeased that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Understandably, you can’t do it immediately. There is a procedural aspect, but the transition is going to be over with soon,” Trump informed reporters.

However, in a media conference on Thursday, Indian officials appeared to undermine the US president’s account, stating that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday”.

Context of Indo-Russian Relations and Oil Acquisitions

The South Asian nation, which maintains a strong relationship with the Kremlin, has emerged as one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude since the invasion of Ukraine.

It has been a major point of dispute with Washington in recent months, after Trump was unable to achieve a peace deal with Moscow.

• During the summer, the US president enforced some of his highest tariffs on the Indian economy to penalise its procurement of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged Delhi of contributing funds to Moscow's military actions in Ukraine.
• India is facing extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a standard of 25%.

New Delhi's Position and Energy Strategy

India has consistently maintained its position, asserting it would not allow the US determine its fuel requirements or meddle in its partnership with Russia, which dates back to the Cold War era.

Moscow remains the largest supplier of military equipment to India.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said discussions with the US over commerce and import duties were ongoing.

A official communication by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the main goal was to “protect the well-being of the citizens of India in a volatile energy scenario” and that all strategies were dictated by the necessity to broaden and secure the nation's fuel supply.

Benefits and Repercussions

India has gained substantial advantages from its acquisition of cut-price Russian oil since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, establishing itself as one of its leading buyers globally, only behind the Chinese market.

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

US administration has frequently alleged Indian leadership of bankrolling the Russian president, President Putin's actions against the Ukrainian state, describing the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on Wednesday the American leader praised enthusiastically of Modi. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He loves Trump,” he said.