US President Donald Trump claimed on Friday that he had “heard” India has ceased importing oil from Russia, calling it a “good step” while acknowledging uncertainty about the reports. Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard. I don’t know if that’s right or not, but that’s a good step. We’ll see what happens.”
The statement follows his administration’s announcement of a 25% tariff on Indian exports, effective August 7, 2025, alongside an unspecified “penalty” for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil and military equipment, which Trump argues fuels Russia’s war in Ukraine.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing media on Friday, refuted claims that Indian oil companies had halted Russian imports, stating, “We take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time.” Jaiswal added that he was unaware of any specific pause in purchases, emphasizing that India’s energy sourcing is driven by market forces and national interests.
Trump’s remarks escalate tensions sparked by his earlier Truth Social posts, where he criticized India’s trade barriers and its role as one of Russia’s largest energy buyers, alongside China. He claimed the US faces a “massive trade deficit” with India, citing its high tariffs and “strenuous and obnoxious” non-monetary trade barriers.
In a provocative statement, Trump dismissed India and Russia as “dead economies,” saying, “They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” and insisted that the US does “very little business” with India due to these barriers.
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India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has relied on Russia for approximately 35% of its crude oil since 2022, benefiting from discounted prices amid Western sanctions on Moscow. Despite Trump’s tariff threats, Indian officials have reiterated their commitment to continue sourcing Russian oil, arguing it stabilizes global energy markets.
The White House’s executive order notably omitted details of the additional “penalty” for India’s Russian trade, leaving uncertainty as bilateral trade talks falter. As India navigates these pressures, the ongoing dispute risks straining US-India relations, with New Delhi defending its “time-tested” partnership with Russia while seeking a balanced trade agreement with the US.
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