Russia Says No Official Word From India on Halting Oil Purchases After Trump Trade Deal Claims

Russia has clarified that it has received no official communication from India regarding any decision to halt purchases of Russian oil, following remarks by US President Donald Trump about a new trade deal with New Delhi. The Kremlin’s response came amid growing speculation that energy ties between India and Russia could be reshaped after Washington announced reduced tariffs on Indian exports.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was closely analysing statements linked to the India–US trade agreement but emphasised that no formal message had been received from the Indian government about stopping crude imports. “So far, we have not heard any statements from Delhi on this matter,” he said while addressing reporters, reiterating Russia’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral relations with India.

The comments followed Trump’s announcement that the United States would lower tariffs on Indian goods to 18% as part of a broader trade understanding. Trump also claimed that India had agreed to reduce or halt purchases of Russian oil and increase imports from the US, positioning the deal as a major geopolitical shift. However, Indian officials have not publicly confirmed any such commitment, leaving uncertainty over the actual terms of the arrangement.

Russia stressed that its long-standing strategic partnership with India remains a priority regardless of developments in India’s ties with Washington. Peskov noted that Moscow respects bilateral relations between India and the United States but attaches equal importance to advancing cooperation with New Delhi across sectors, particularly energy and defence.

India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine conflict began in 2022, a development that drew criticism from Western countries seeking to limit Moscow’s energy revenues. Trump had repeatedly argued that India’s continued imports were indirectly supporting Russia’s war effort, and the new trade agreement has been framed by Washington as a step toward altering global energy flows.

Despite the political messaging from the US side, analysts note that any abrupt shift away from Russian oil would carry significant economic implications for India, which depends heavily on imported crude to meet domestic demand. Experts also point out that details of the India–US trade pact remain unclear, with several aspects — including energy commitments — yet to be formally outlined by either government.

For now, Russia’s statement underscores the gap between political claims and official policy. While Washington has highlighted potential changes in India’s energy sourcing, Moscow insists that it has seen no concrete signal from New Delhi suggesting a departure from existing oil trade arrangements. As negotiations and clarifications continue, the evolving dynamics between India, Russia, and the United States are expected to remain a central focus in global geopolitics.