WASHINGTON, October 18: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his assertion that India will soon stop purchasing oil from Russia, claiming the commitment was personally made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks, made during a joint appearance with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, have added a fresh geopolitical dimension to the already contentious global energy discourse.
“India is not going to be buying Russian oil anymore,” President Trump declared, emphasizing that while the transition “can’t be done immediately,” it “will be over with soon.”
Drawing a comparison with Central Europe’s energy constraints, Trump noted that “Hungary is sort of stuck because they have one pipeline… and they’re inland—they don’t have sea… but India will not be buying oil from Russia.” The comment underscored the differing energy dynamics between landlocked European nations reliant on Soviet-era pipeline infrastructure and maritime importers such as India.
Hungary has long argued that its dependence on the Druzhba pipeline leaves it with limited alternatives to Russian crude—a stance that Western analysts have often questioned, urging faster diversification of its energy sources.
Trump’s latest comments echo similar claims made earlier this year, which were met with a firm yet diplomatic denial from New Delhi. At the time, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that “no such conversation” regarding oil imports had taken place between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. The ministry reaffirmed that India’s energy decisions are guided by the twin objectives of ensuring “stable prices and secure supplies,” stressing that the country’s primary concern remains the welfare of the Indian consumer amid global volatility.
Despite Washington’s growing pressure, Russia continues to be India’s largest crude oil supplier, accounting for roughly one-third of its total imports—a figure buoyed by deep discounts offered by Moscow in the wake of Western sanctions. However, analysts note that Indian refiners have adjusted import volumes periodically in response to price fluctuations and shifting market incentives.
Trump’s renewed push comes amid sensitive trade negotiations between Washington and New Delhi, with the US reportedly leveraging tariffs and trade incentives to influence India’s energy alignment. The move is seen by observers as part of a broader American effort to isolate Moscow economically while testing the resilience of India’s strategic autonomy in balancing its ties with both Washington and Moscow.
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