US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that India will “completely stop” buying oil from Russia, even as New Delhi continues to maintain that its energy decisions are based solely on national interest. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Saturday, Trump reiterated that India is halting Russian oil imports, while China is significantly reducing its purchases. He linked this shift to fresh US sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil.
Trump made similar assertions in previous weeks, saying India had assured him it would stop buying Russian oil by the end of the year. While acknowledging that the transition cannot happen overnight, he claimed India would reduce purchases to “almost nothing” by year-end, lowering its imports by nearly 40%. He repeated this view during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, describing India’s cutback as a “big thing.”
New Delhi, however, has consistently pushed back on these claims. The Indian government emphasized that energy policy decisions are independent and focused on ensuring stable prices and reliable supply chains. Officials reiterated that crude import choices are guided by national priorities, not external pressure from any country, including the United States.
The remarks came ahead of Trump’s planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, part of a broader five-day Asia tour. The visit is aimed at addressing issues including trade tensions, technology access, and raw material security. Trump indicated that China’s oil dealings with Russia may also be part of the discussions, expressing hope for a “complete deal” during the talks.
While Trump’s comments have drawn attention, analysts note that India has long maintained a strategic approach to its energy needs, diversifying imports to balance economic growth, affordability, and geopolitical considerations. India continues to be one of the largest buyers of Russian crude in Asia, and any reduction in imports is expected to be gradual and guided by market conditions rather than diplomatic directives.
The dispute underscores the ongoing sensitivity in US-India relations over energy policy and highlights India’s insistence on an independent approach to foreign policy and trade, even amid global pressures and sanctions regimes.
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