In brief
The Indian government's response casts doubt on U.S. President Trump's assertion that Prime Minister Modi agreed to stop buying Russian oil. India emphasizes its commitment to safeguarding consumer interests amid ongoing discussions regarding Russian oil imports, highlighting its importance as a key energy customer for Russia since the Ukraine conflict began.
India's foreign ministry has said it is not aware of a phone call in which US President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil.
On Wednesday, Trump stated his Indian counterpart had assured me today that it would end Russian oil imports, in a bid to increase economic pressure on the Kremlin to end the war in Ukraine.
However, when pressed about the call, an Indian government spokesman expressed uncertainty regarding Trump's account, noting he was not aware of any conversation between the two leaders from the day before.
The Indian government had previously indicated that discussions concerning its Russian oil purchases were still ongoing with the U.S.
Since the war began, India has developed into a significant energy ally for Russia, helping the Kremlin mitigate the effects of Western sanctions on its oil and gas sector.
The Trump administration has increased diplomatic pressures on India to sever its ties with the Russian energy sector in an effort to heighten Moscow's isolation and expedite the conclusion of the war, which escalated with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
During his remarks on Wednesday at the White House, Trump claimed to have received succinct commitments from Modi regarding India’s intention to cease oil purchases within a short period of time.
However, Indian officials initially did not reject the claim of a call. They stated their commitment to protecting the interests of the Indian consumer amidst fluctuating energy markets, signifying that their import policies are shaped by these concerns.
Following the Indian government's latest statements, doubts have arisen regarding any potential agreements between Washington and New Delhi during the discussions.
The BBC has reached out to the White House and the State Department for further comment.
