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India has raised skepticism regarding claims made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to cease buying Russian crude oil.

Trump's Claims and India's Response

On Wednesday, Trump stated that Modi had assured him “this very day” that the Indian government would put an end to its acquisition of Russian oil.

“I was displeased that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] has guaranteed me on this day that they will not be buying oil from Russia. You know, you can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” the former president informed reporters.

Nevertheless, in a press briefing on Thursday, Indian officials seemed to contradict the American leader's version, clarifying that there was “no phone call between PM Modi and President Trump the previous day”.

Context of India-Russia Ties and Oil Purchases

The South Asian nation, which upholds a close ties with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil since the military action of the Eastern European country.

It has been a significant source of contention with the United States in the past few months, since Trump was unable to achieve a ceasefire agreement with Russia.

• During the summer, the US president imposed significant import duties on the Indian economy to penalise its purchase of Russian oil.
• He accused the Indian government of helping to finance Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
• India is facing additional 25% import tariffs, on top of a standard of a quarter.

India's Position and Energy Strategy

The Indian administration has publicly stood firm, asserting it would not let the US dictate its energy needs or meddle in its relationship with Russia, which dates back to the Cold War era.

Russia remains the primary source of arms to the Indian armed forces.

Earlier on Wednesday, the administration in New Delhi said discussions with the US over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.

A statement by the foreign ministry said the priority was to “protect the well-being of the citizens of India in a volatile energy scenario” and that all policies were dictated by the imperative to broaden and ensure the nation's fuel supply.

Advantages and Repercussions

The Indian economy has reaped significant benefit from its acquisition of cut-price Russian oil since Russia's extensive military campaign of Ukraine in early 2022, establishing itself as one of its leading buyers globally, only behind China.

However, it has resulted in a severe deterioration in bilateral ties between Washington and New Delhi.

US administration has increasingly sought to accuse Indian leadership of financing the Kremlin leader, President Putin's operations against the Ukrainian state, describing the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

However, on that same day the US president spoke glowingly of the Indian prime minister. “The PM is an exceptional leader. He has affection for me,” he remarked.