President Donald Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to reduce India’s imports of Russian oil. The statement came as Washington stepped up efforts to limit Moscow’s energy revenue and pressure the Kremlin over the war in Ukraine.
Trump told reporters that Modi assured him India would halt Russian oil purchases “within a short period of time.” He called the pledge “a big stop.”
US intensifies pressure on India
The US president has used India’s dependence on Russian oil as leverage in trade negotiations. So far, New Delhi has resisted, insisting that its energy policies protect domestic consumers and support the national economy.
An Indian government spokesman confirmed that discussions with Washington were “ongoing.” He said the US administration had expressed “interest in expanding energy co-operation with India.”
“Our priority is to safeguard Indian consumers amid global energy volatility,” the spokesman said. “Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”
Washington targets Moscow’s energy revenues
Oil and gas remain Russia’s most profitable exports, with China, India and Turkey among its top customers. Speaking in the Oval Office, Trump said his next goal was to persuade China to follow India’s example. He described the effort as part of a broader strategy to reduce Moscow’s energy income.
The Trump administration has also urged Japan to halt imports of Russian oil and gas. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he had conveyed this expectation to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato.
Tariffs and India’s gradual adjustment
Trump acknowledged 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 connected to Russia, a key source of funds for its war in Ukraine.
India’s neutrality strains relations
Modi has defended India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict while maintaining close ties with President Vladimir Putin. Indian officials have accused Washington of double standards, citing ongoing Western trade with Russia.
India relies on discounted Russian crude to support its rapidly growing economy, now the fifth largest in the world.
The oil dispute has created tension 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.”
