Trump Says India Will Sharply Cut Russian Oil Imports
U.S. President Donald Trump said that India has assured him it will sharply reduce oil imports from Russia by the end of this year. He said this followed a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described the move as a “big thing.”
India’s Position
Indian officials have not confirmed the specific commitment cited by Trump. While India is actively reviewing its purchases of Russian crude, it remains the second-largest buyer of Russian oil and officials say existing contracts make an immediate halt unfeasible. Reports suggest some private refiners plan to reduce Russian purchases, but the government emphasises energy security and price stability over abrupt changes.
Strategic Implications
Trump’s remarks reflect growing U.S. pressure on India to align its energy policy with Western efforts to isolate Russia economically. Any major cut in Russian oil imports by India would mark a shift in its strategic autonomy approach and could influence global energy flows and trade dynamics.
