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India has raised skepticism regarding assertions made by President Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to stop buying Russian crude oil.

The US President's Claims and India's Response

On Wednesday, Donald Trump stated that Modi had given him assurances “today” that India would discontinue its acquisition of Russian oil.

“I was displeased that India was buying oil, and he [Modi] has assured me today that they will cease purchasing oil from Russia. You know, it cannot happen instantly. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” the former president informed reporters.

However, in a press briefing on Thursday, representatives from India seemed to contradict the American leader's version, stating that there was “no telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump the previous day”.

Context of India-Russia Relations and Oil Purchases

The South Asian nation, which maintains a strong relationship with the Russian government, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian crude since the military action of the Eastern European country.

It has been a major point of dispute with the United States in the past few months, after Trump was unable to achieve a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

• During the summer, the US president imposed significant import duties on the Indian economy to penalise its purchase of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged Delhi of helping to finance Russia’s aggression in the conflict zone.
• India is facing additional 25% import tariffs, on top of a base of 25%.

New Delhi's Stance and Oil Strategy

India has publicly stood firm, claiming it would not allow the US dictate its energy needs or meddle in its partnership with the Russian Federation, which dates back to the Cold War era.

Moscow continues to be the largest supplier of military equipment to India.

Earlier on Wednesday, the administration in New Delhi said discussions with the United States over trade and import duties were ongoing.

A statement by the foreign ministry said the priority was to “safeguard the well-being of the citizens of India in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were guided by the necessity to diversify and secure India’s energy sources.

Advantages and Repercussions

India has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price Russian oil since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, becoming one of its leading buyers worldwide, only behind China.

However, it has led to a significant decline in US-India relations.

US administration has frequently alleged Indian leadership of bankrolling the Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s operations against the Ukrainian state, describing the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

Yet, on that same day the US president spoke glowingly of the Indian prime minister. “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump,” he remarked.