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Indian authorities have expressed doubts regarding claims made by Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to cease purchasing Russian oil.

Trump's Claims and India's Reaction

Earlier this week, Trump claimed that Modi had given him assurances “this very day” that India would put an end to its purchase of Russian oil.

“I was displeased that India was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has assured me on this day that they will cease purchasing oil from Russia. Understandably, you can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the transition is going to be completed shortly,” the former president told reporters.

However, in a press briefing on Thursday, Indian officials appeared to undermine the US president’s account, clarifying that there was “no telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump yesterday”.

Context of India-Russia Ties and Oil Acquisitions

The South Asian nation, which upholds a strong relationship with the Kremlin, has emerged as one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil since the military action of Ukraine.

This has become a major point of dispute with the United States in recent months, after the US president failed to secure a ceasefire agreement with Moscow.

• During the summer, the US president imposed some of his highest tariffs on India to sanction its purchase of Russian crude.
• Trump alleged the Indian government of contributing funds to Moscow's military actions in Ukraine.
• India is subject to additional 25% import tariffs, in addition to a base of a quarter.

India's Position and Energy Policy

The Indian administration has consistently maintained its position, claiming it would not allow the US dictate its fuel requirements or interfere in its partnership with Russia, which originates from the Cold War era.

Russia remains the primary source of arms to India.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over trade and tariffs were ongoing.

A official communication by the Indian ministry of external affairs said the main goal was to “protect the well-being of the Indian consumer in a unstable fuel market” and that all policies were guided by the necessity to diversify and ensure India’s energy sources.

Benefits and Repercussions

The Indian economy has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price Russian oil since Russia's extensive military campaign of Ukraine in early 2022, becoming one of its top purchasers globally, 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, President Putin's operations against the Ukrainian state, labeling the conflict as “the Indian PM's conflict”.

Yet, on that same day the US president praised enthusiastically of the Indian prime minister. “Modi is a great man. He has affection for me,” he said.