Trump claims PM Modi assured him India will stop buying Russian oil

Trump also said his ambassador-designate Sergio Gor told him that PM Narendra Modi "loves Trump," adding that he shares a great friendship and strong relationship with PM Modi

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that PM Narendra Modi has assured him that India will stop buying oil from Russia, a move he described as “a big step” in Washington’s efforts to isolate Moscow over the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported.

 

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he had previously expressed dissatisfaction with India’s oil purchases from Russia. “So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing,” Trump said.

 

 

Trump noted that India could not “immediately” halt the shipments, describing the shift as “a little bit of a process,” but added that the transition “will be over soon.” 

#WATCH | "Yeah, sure. He's (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. We have a great relationship...I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big stop. Now we've got to get China to do the same thing..."… pic.twitter.com/xNehCBGomR

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2025

 

Part of diplomatic push to cut Russia's revenue

 

Trump said PM Modi’s assurance was part of a wider diplomatic push to cut off Moscow’s energy revenue amid Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine. He underscored that ending India’s oil trade with Russia would bolster international efforts to end the conflict.

 

“Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” Trump said, adding that pressuring Beijing would be “relatively easy compared to what we just did over the last week in the Middle East.”

 

Trump also reiterated his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. “All we want from President Putin is to stop this, stop killing Ukrainians and stop killing Russians because he’s killing a lot of Russians,” he said. 

 

‘Modi loves Trump,’ says US President

 

When asked whether he viewed India as a reliable partner, Trump responded affirmatively. “Yeah, sure. He’s (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. We have a great relationship,” he said, reported ANI. 

He also referred to the recent meeting between his new pick for Indian ambassador, Sergio Gor, and PM Modi, saying he was pleased with the interaction. “I think they were great... Modi is a great man. He (Sergio Gor) told me that he (PM Modi) loves Trump,” Trump was quoted as saying by ANI. 

#WATCH | Responding to ANI's question on the meeting between US ambassador-designate Sergio Gor and PM Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump says, "I think they were great...Modi is a great man. He (Sergio Gor) told me that he (PM Modi) loves Trump...I have watched India for… pic.twitter.com/gRHpjv2RDp

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2025

 

The US President went on to praise India’s political stability under PM Modi’s leadership, recalling the era of frequent leadership changes in the country. “I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months and this was year after year after year, and my friend has been there now for a long time,” Trump said.

 

Trump’s remarks come months after he raised tariffs on Indian imports to the US to 50 per cent, citing the country’s alleged direct and indirect imports of Russian oil. 

 

India respond to Trump's claim

 

In response to US President Donald Trump’s remarks, Randhir Jaiswal, official spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, on Thursday emphasised that India’s top priority remains safeguarding consumer interests.

 

In a written statement addressing media queries on the country’s purchase of Russian oil, Jaiswal said, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. Our consistent priority has been to protect the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. All our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”

 

Highlighting the government’s energy policy goals, he added that stable prices and secured supplies are central, with a focus on broadening India’s energy sourcing and diversifying procurement to suit market conditions.

 

On India-US energy ties, Jaiswal noted, “We have long sought to expand energy procurement from the US, and this effort has steadily progressed over the last decade. The current US administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India, and discussions are ongoing.”