US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India will soon stop buying oil from Russia. Speaking to reporters at the White House in Washington, Trump said that this decision could help stop the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Trump, 79, also mentioned that he plans to urge China to stop buying Russian oil. He said, “He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship… we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they've lost a million and a half people. I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big step. Now we've got to get China to do the same thing.”
The statement by Trump comes amid growing Western criticism of India for continuing to buy Russian oil despite the ongoing war in Ukraine. Many Western countries, particularly the United States, have blamed India and China for financially supporting Russia through their oil purchases.
Despite Trump’s claim, the latest data suggests that India continues to buy significant amounts of Russian oil. According to Kpler, a Belgian commodities and shipping market tracker, Russia remains India’s top oil supplier. In September 2025, Russia accounted for 34 percent of India’s total crude oil imports.
While there has been a slight reduction of about 10 percent compared to January, India’s Russian oil imports in September stood at 4.5 million barrels per day. This figure is slightly higher than August, which shows that imports are still substantial. The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) also reported that India imported Russian oil worth Rs 25,597 crore in September. Out of this, crude oil made up 77 percent of the purchases, followed by coal at 13 percent and refined oil products at 10 percent. Overall, India was the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels that month, importing a total of EUR 3.6 billion worth of products.
India has consistently defended its oil trade with Russia. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has stated that India will protect its national interest and continue business decisions that benefit the country. Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, he said, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
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Meanwhile, the US has imposed tariffs on India for buying Russian crude. Initially, a 25 percent tariff was applied, and after a new round, the total tariffs on India have reached 50 percent. Some American officials, including White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, have accused India of funding Russia’s war through these purchases. Indian ministers, including Jaishankar and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, have called these tariffs “unfair and unreasonable.”
India has maintained a careful stance, balancing international pressure and its own energy needs. The country continues to emphasize that purchasing Russian oil is important for its energy security and for keeping fuel prices stable for domestic consumers.
While Trump’s statement may suggest an upcoming halt to Russian oil imports by India, the actual trade figures indicate that India remains one of the largest buyers of Russian crude and fossil fuels. Any reduction in imports is gradual and influenced by several factors, including international pressure, domestic energy requirements, and global oil prices.
In conclusion, Trump’s claim about India stopping Russian oil purchases may be optimistic, but current data shows that India still relies heavily on Russian oil. The country has faced Western criticism and tariffs, but it continues to defend its position as a sovereign energy decision-maker while keeping its national interests in mind. India’s approach reflects a careful balancing act between international expectations and domestic needs, showing that energy security remains a top priority for New Delhi.
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