U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised him to stop buying oil from Russia. Now, according to him, the head of the White House wants to achieve the same from China, DW reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, October 15, that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised him that India would stop purchasing Russian oil. According to Trump, this will happen "in a short period of time."
"I was unhappy that India was buying (Russian oil - Ed.) and he (Modi - Ed.) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia," the American president told reporters at the White House.
Trump called this promise "a big step." "Now we want to get China to do the same," Reuters quoted him as saying.
Trump imposed tariffs on India for purchasing oil from Russia
In April 2025, Russian oil supplies to India reportedly increased to 2.15 million barrels per day - a record level since May 2023. Reuters noted at that time that Russia has been the largest supplier of oil to India for the third consecutive year, with its share of imports reaching 36%. Prices for oil from Russia have been attractive to Indian refiners since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine.
On July 14, Trump threatened to impose secondary tariffs of 100% on trade partners of Russia if a peace agreement in Ukraine is not reached within the next 50 days (by September 2). On July 29, the American president shortened this deadline to 10 days, and the next day imposed tariffs of 25% on India, including for trade with Russia. "India (...) is the largest buyer of energy resources from Russia along with China, while everyone wants Russia to stop the killings in Ukraine," Trump explained.
On July 31, it became known that four state-owned refineries in India had suspended oil purchases from Russia. Within a week, Indian Oil, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical, which had previously regularly purchased Russian oil, showed no interest in buying it, Reuters reported. However, the day before, Indian media, citing government sources, reported that refineries in India, including state-owned IOC, BPCL, and HPCL, continued to purchase Russian oil.
U.S. President refused to conclude a trade deal with India
On September 4, The Washington Post reported, citing sources, that the U.S. president refuses to approve a trade deal with India until the country commits to reducing its purchases of Russian oil. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that India buys most of its oil and military products from Russia and only a small portion from the U.S. Meanwhile, authorities in New Delhi are proposing to reduce trade tariffs to zero, "but it is already too late," he added, calling economic relations with India "a completely one-sided disaster."
At the same time, the White House stated that "teams from the U.S. and India maintain close contact across the spectrum of diplomatic, defense, and trade priorities of our strategic partnership." The State Department noted that "India needs to do more" to alleviate U.S. concerns regarding trade.
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