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India has raised skepticism regarding claims made by President Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had committed to stop buying Russian crude oil.

The US President's Statements and India's Reaction

On Wednesday, Trump stated that Modi had assured him “this very day” that India would discontinue its purchase of oil from Russia.

“I was not happy that the Indian administration was purchasing crude, and he [Modi] has assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Understandably, it cannot happen instantly. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be completed shortly,” Trump informed reporters.

Nevertheless, in a media conference on the following day, Indian officials seemed to contradict the American leader's version, stating that there was “no phone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump the previous day”.

Background of India-Russia Relations and Crude Acquisitions

India, which maintains a close ties with the Kremlin, has become one of the biggest purchasers of Russian oil since the military action of Ukraine.

This has become a major point of dispute with Washington in recent months, since the US president failed to secure a ceasefire agreement with Russia.

• During the summer, the American leader enforced significant import duties on India to penalise its procurement of Russian oil.
• He accused the Indian government of contributing funds to Russia’s aggression in the conflict zone.
• India is facing extra import duties of 25%, in addition to a standard of 25%.

India's Stance and Energy Policy

The Indian administration has consistently maintained its position, asserting it would not let the US dictate its energy needs or meddle in its partnership with the Russian Federation, which dates back to the cold war.

Moscow continues to be the primary source of military equipment to the Indian armed forces.

Just before Trump's remarks, the Indian government said negotiations with the US over commerce and tariffs were still in progress.

A official communication by the foreign ministry said the main goal was to “protect the interests of the Indian consumer in a unstable fuel market” and that all strategies were dictated by the necessity to diversify and secure India’s energy sources.

Advantages and Repercussions

India has reaped significant benefit from its purchase of cut-price crude from Russia since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of its neighbor in February 2022, becoming one of its top purchasers worldwide, only behind the Chinese market.

Nonetheless, it has resulted in 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, describing the conflict as “Modi’s war”.

Yet, on Wednesday the US president spoke glowingly of the Indian prime minister. “Modi is a great man. He loves Trump,” he remarked.