Washington DC: U.S. President Donald Trump has once again taken a hard stance on India’s energy ties with Russia, warning that New Delhi will face continued high tariffs unless it halts imports of Russian crude oil.
Speaking aboard his private jet, Donald Trump told reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that India would no longer purchase oil from Russia.
“Modi told me they’re not going forward with Russian oil,” Trump said, adding, “But if they decide otherwise, they’ll keep facing massive tariffs — and they know it.”
However, the Indian government has disputed the claim. Officials in New Delhi stated they had no record of a recent conversation between Trump and Modi regarding energy imports. India’s Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that its oil policy is based on national interest and the need to maintain affordable energy prices for its citizens.
Trump’s remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of India’s role as a key buyer of Russian oil, particularly after Western sanctions on Moscow following the Ukraine invasion in 2022. India emerged as a top customer, taking advantage of discounted rates as many Western countries reduced or cut off energy imports from Russia entirely.
The former president has repeatedly criticized countries that continue trading with Russia, arguing that oil revenues are sustaining the Kremlin’s military actions in Ukraine. According to Trump, nearly half of the tariffs his administration maintained on Indian imports stem directly from its ongoing oil trade with Russia.
While a U.S. administration official recently acknowledged a notable reduction — suggesting India has halved its Russian oil purchases — Indian sources have contradicted this, stating there has been no immediate drop in import volumes.
India, for its part, has maintained that its priority remains securing stable and affordable energy supplies amid global market volatility. In a statement last week, the Indian government reiterated that energy policy decisions are driven by domestic economic concerns rather than geopolitical pressures.
As Trump continues to campaign for a potential return to the White House, his renewed focus on trade imbalances and foreign energy deals signals that tensions with key partners like India could resurface if he regains office.
