India Denies Claims of Stopping Russian Oil Imports Amid International Pressure

The Indian government has issued a strong denial that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump had discussed a potential halt in Russian oil imports, signaling a continued reluctance to comply with international pressure to reduce economic ties with Moscow. This denial comes after Mr. Trump claimed that Mr. Modi had assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil, a move that Mr. Trump described as a "big step." The Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, stated that there was no conversation between the two leaders on the topic, while also emphasizing ongoing discussions with the US on energy cooperation.

Key Takeaways:

• The Indian government has denied claims of a conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump regarding a halt in Russian oil imports.
• The denial comes amid international pressure on India to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, with the US and UK imposing sanctions on countries importing Russian oil.
• Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that discussions with the US on energy cooperation are ongoing.
• India's policy remains focused on safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario, given its huge reliance on oil and gas imports.
• Russia has expressed confidence in its energy partnership with India, highlighting the economic and practical benefits of their cooperation.

Statistics:

• The US has imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports of Indian goods, taking the total levies to 50%, one of the highest imposed on any country.
• India has imported over 100 million barrels of Russian crude oil for over $5 billion (£3.75 billion) in 2024.
• The UK government has targeted the Indian oil refinery Nayara Energy Limited for continuing to facilitate the import of Russian oil onto global markets.

Sources:

• Randhir Jaiswal, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, quoted in The Independent
• Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, quoted in The Independent
• Trump administration officials, quoted in The Independent
• UK government officials, quoted in The Independent