Trump Says India to Halt Purchases of Russian Oil Amid New Tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump said that India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Politico.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally assured him that New Delhi would end purchases of Russian crude.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step,” Trump told journalists.
The U.S. president added that the process “will take some time,” but said he expected it to conclude soon.
The announcement follows Washington’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods in August, which was one of the most severe trade measures ever introduced against India.
The sanctions, ordered by Trump, targeted more than half of all Indian exports to the United States, including textiles and jewelry, while exempting key sectors such as electronics and pharmaceuticals.
The move was intended to punish India for continuing to import Russian oil, which the U.S. administration said helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war against Ukraine. The tariffs have strained ties between Washington and New Delhi.
India has been among Russia’s largest oil customers since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, helping to offset Western embargoes.
Analysts say Trump’s latest statement suggests a tentative rapprochement, if India follows through on ending its Russian energy purchases.
As The Gaze reported earlier, India and Russia aim to increase trade turnover by 50% over five years to $100 billion, planning to lower tariffs amid growing tensions with the U.S.
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