Good step: Trump welcomes reports of India possibly halting Russian oil imports

UPDATED: Aug 2, 2025 04:56 IST

US President Donald Trump on Friday welcomed reports that India may stop buying Russian oil, calling it a “good step,” though he acknowledged he was not sure if the claim was accurate.

Responding to a question by ANI about whether he had a number in mind for potential penalties or plans to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump said: “I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.”

His comments come amid heightened geopolitical pressure on countries that continue purchasing Russian oil, as the US intensified efforts to curb Moscow’s revenue streams during the ongoing Ukraine war.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has been a key buyer of discounted Russian crude since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow in 2022.

However, recent media reports suggest that Indian state refiners have temporarily paused Russian oil purchases due to narrowing discounts and shipping challenges. The Indian government has yet to officially confirm this move.

Trump’s remark also follows a week of sharp criticism directed at India. In a post on Truth Social, he slammed New Delhi for maintaining high tariffs and “obnoxious” trade barriers while continuing to purchase Russian energy and military equipment.

The White House recently announced a 25 per cent tariff on all Indian exports to the US, along with an unspecified “penalty” for its continued energy trade with Russia.

Responding to the developments, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, defended India’s long-standing ties with Moscow.

“India and Russia share a steady and time-tested partnership,” he said. Jaiswal also reaffirmed the strength of the India-US relationship, noting it is based on “shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties,” and expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to move forward despite current tensions.

- Ends

Tune In