US President Donald Trump asserted on Friday, October 17, 2025, that India is phasing out its substantial purchases of Russian oil, a move he says could pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine. Speaking at the White House alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump declared that India, which accounts for roughly 38% of Russia’s crude exports, has “de-escalated” and will soon cease imports entirely. “They’ve more or less stopped, and they’re pulling back,” Trump stated, framing the shift as pivotal to starving Russia’s war machine.
Trump’s remarks build on his Wednesday claim of a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who allegedly “assured” him that India would halt Russian oil purchases, though not immediately. “It’s a process, but it’ll be over soon,” Trump said, suggesting that cutting India’s imports could hasten peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that post-war, India might resume buying from Russia, and praised Modi as a “great man” leading an “incredible country.” However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, firmly denied any such call on Thursday, stating, “There has been no discussion between the Prime Minister and President Trump.”
The timing of Trump’s comments aligns with heightened US-India tensions, exacerbated by a 25% tariff imposed in August 2025 on Indian exports for buying Russian oil, while China, Moscow’s top energy buyer, faced no penalties. India’s reliance on discounted Russian crude has surged since 2022, with imports jumping from under 1% to nearly 40% of its oil needs, saving billions amid global price spikes. Energy experts warn that pivoting away would require costly refinery reconfigurations, a point underscored by analyst Vandana Hari, who noted, “The volumes are too large to stop overnight.”
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As India’s trade team negotiates in Washington this week, following meetings between new US Ambassador Sergio Gor and Indian leaders, New Delhi has signaled openness to boosting US crude and gas imports by $12-13 billion annually, provided prices are competitive. This comes amid domestic pressure to stabilize fuel costs before state elections. Trump’s narrative, tying India’s oil purchases to prolonging the Ukraine conflict, adds pressure to these talks, but India’s denial of the Modi call suggests diplomatic friction.
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