New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed claims by U.S. President Donald Trump that he discussed Russian oil purchases with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaishwal stated that no phone conversation took place between the two leaders regarding Russian crude and that no agreement had been reached on the matter. The ministry termed Mr. Trump’s remarks as “inaccurate.”
Speaking at a White House briefing, Trump had claimed that India agreed to stop buying oil from Russia, asserting that revenue from such purchases was enabling President Vladimir Putin to continue the war in Ukraine. He said he had expressed his unhappiness to Modi over India’s Russian oil imports and claimed that Modi had assured him that India would halt such purchases.
#WATCH | Delhi | On US President Trump’s statement over purchase of Russian oil by India, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "… On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any… pic.twitter.com/CqjfqCEO0p
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2025
Trump further noted that India could resume oil trade with Moscow once Russia ended its conflict with Ukraine, but for now, he called for a pause to pressure Putin into stopping the war. He emphasized that his primary demand from Putin was to cease fighting, spare Ukrainian lives, and prevent Russian casualties. Trump argued that a halt in Indian oil purchases would make isolating Russia easier.
India, however, reaffirmed that its energy decisions are based on national interests and energy security. The MEA reiterated that it was unaware of any such conversation and confirmed that no commitment had been made by the Prime Minister to suspend oil imports from Russia.