ISLAMABAD: Under mounting pressure from Washington, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reportedly agreed to further reduce Russian oil imports following what US President Donald Trump described as a “very good” conversation between the two leaders.
Speaking at the Oval Office on Tuesday, President Trump said he had spoken with Modi about the regional situation and the war in Ukraine, claiming that India is sharply reducing its oil imports from Russia and intends to continue doing so.
According to Trump, Modi assured him that India would further cut its purchases of Russian oil, adding that both leaders shared a desire to see the Russia-Ukraine conflict end soon. “India has already reduced its oil purchases and is continuing to cut it back,” Trump said.
Trump’s remarks came days after he made similar claims that were dismissed by New Delhi. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was “not aware of any recent conversation” between the two leaders, stressing that the country’s energy imports are guided by “the interests of the Indian consumer and the stability of supply and prices.”
He stated that Modi assured him India would further cut oil imports from Russia, emphasizing that both leaders share a desire to see the Russia-Ukraine war reach an end soon.
Trump noted that India had already reduced its oil purchases and was “continuing to cut it back.”
Modi confirmed the conversation in a post on X, signaling a shift in New Delhi’s stance amid growing US pressure.
The US president has in recent weeks also criticized India for continuing to purchase Russian oil, and his administration has imposed tariffs on Indian exports to pressure New Delhi to support efforts for peace in Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Trump reiterated that India would continue to face “massive tariffs” if it did not halt its imports of Russian oil.
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