Trump says Modi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil
Key Takeaways
- President Trump claimed PM Modi agreed to soon stop India's purchases of Russian oil.
- The US is pressuring allies like India and Japan to cut off Russian energy funding to pressure Moscow over the Ukraine war.
- India had previously resisted US pressure, causing a diplomatic rift and leading to US tariffs on Indian goods.
- India relies on discounted Russian crude oil to support its economy.
- Trump praised Modi as a "great man" despite previous trade disagreements.
President Donald Trump announced that he received assurances from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India will cease purchasing Russian oil within a short timeframe, calling it a "big stop" in the broader US effort to end the war in Ukraine by cutting off Moscow's energy revenue. The US has been actively pushing allies, including Japan, to stop Russian energy imports, although Trump acknowledged the shift for India would be "a little bit of a process." This development addresses a significant diplomatic strain, as India had previously resisted US pressure, leading the Trump administration to impose substantial tariffs on Indian goods. Modi has long argued for India's neutrality in the conflict despite ties with Vladimir Putin, relying on discounted Russian crude for its large economy, while Indian officials criticized US accusations as a double standard given ongoing Western trade with Russia.
