United States President Donald Trump showered praise on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a White House press conference on Thursday, dubbing him a "great man" and playfully cautioning against revelations that could harm his political standing. The comments, delivered alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, underscore Trump's penchant for personal diplomacy amid escalating US efforts to curb Russia's oil revenues in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Trump, who has positioned himself as a master dealmaker since his January inauguration, claimed Modi assured him India would cease purchasing Russian crude—a development he teased as a potential "breaking story". The remarks follow a pattern of Trump's effusive endorsements of Modi, including during his 2024 campaign, but drew scrutiny for their offbeat tone and unverified assertions on energy policy.
Trump's admiration flowed freely as he reflected on India's political landscape: "It's an incredible country, and every single year you'd have a new leader... And my friend has been there now for a long time." He then pivoted to a light-hearted jab, stating, "You know, Modi is a great man, and he loves Trump. Now, I don't know if the word love... I don't want you to take that any differently; I don't want to destroy his political career." The quip elicited chuckles from the press corps, blending camaraderie with Trump's signature humour, though it highlighted the informal rapport he cultivates with global counterparts. On the substantive front, Trump asserted, "He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia... You can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon." He extended similar ambitions to China, vowing to leverage US influence for a broader halt on Russian energy imports.
India, the world's third-largest oil importer, has ramped up Russian crude purchases since 2022, capitalising on discounted rates to offset Western sanctions and stabilise domestic prices amid global volatility. In 2024-25, imports from Russia hit a record 1.5 million barrels per day, comprising over 40% of India's total, per Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell data. A pivot away could signal alignment with US strategic goals, potentially easing bilateral trade tensions exacerbated by Trump's tariff hikes on Indian steel and autos earlier this year.
However, New Delhi has maintained a pragmatic stance, prioritising energy security over geopolitical alignments, as evidenced by Modi's recent BRICS summit engagements, where he advocated for multipolar energy solutions. The Indian embassy in Washington did not respond to queries on whether Modi had indeed committed to such a shift, leaving Trump's claim unconfirmed and fuelling speculation on the sidelines of the QUAD summit preparations.
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Trump's bonhomie with Modi, forged during high-profile summits like the 2023 G20 in New Delhi, contrasts with broader US-India frictions over technology transfers and WTO disputes. Yet, it reinforces the "strategic partnership" mantra, with bilateral trade surpassing $190 billion last fiscal year and defence pacts like iCET driving joint AI and semiconductor initiatives.
As the Ukraine war enters its fourth year, Trump's unilateral approach—bypassing NATO for bilateral arm-twisting—marks a departure from multilateral sanctions, echoing his first-term playbook. Analysts view the oil pledge, if realised, as a diplomatic win for Washington, potentially lowering global benchmarks and aiding Europe's diversification. For Modi, navigating this amid domestic fuel subsidies and elections could test the alliance's resilience, with Trump's aside serving as a reminder of the personal stakes in high-stakes global chess.
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