On October 16, 2025, major news outlets in India and around the world were stirred by a series of statements from former US President Donald Trump regarding India’s trade ties with Russia. The remarks came amid ongoing trade negotiations between India and the United States, following Trump’s imposition of steep 50 percent tariffs on Indian imports earlier in August. While trade tensions had shown signs of easing, Trump’s assertions reignited global attention, particularly on the energy and geopolitical front.

During a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, Trump made a startling claim that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would cease purchasing oil from Russia. Trump, referencing Modi as his “great friend,” stated, “Yeah, sure. He’s 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 step.” He added that he hoped China would take similar measures regarding Russian oil.

India is the second-largest importer of Russian energy, with China being the largest. The Trump administration has repeatedly expressed concerns over India’s significant increase in Russian oil imports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump himself seemed aware of the gravity of his statement, noting that halting oil imports would not be instantaneous but would follow a process: “He’s not buying his oil from Russia. It has started. He can’t do it immediately; it’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon,” he said.

In the same address, Trump also made a lighter remark about PM Modi’s political standing in India. He shared what US ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, told him upon returning from New Delhi, saying, “He loves Trump… I don’t want you to take the word love any differently… I don’t want to destroy his political career.” The remark drew laughter from the audience at the White House. Gor had recently visited India for the first time since his confirmation by the US Senate and met PM Modi. During the visit, he presented Modi with a signed photograph of himself and Trump, emphasizing the cordial ties between the two leaders. Trump reiterated that Modi had assured him there would be no purchases of Russian oil, highlighting their long-standing relationship.

Trump’s statements triggered an immediate reaction from political circles in India. Opposition leaders criticized PM Modi for his perceived silence and lack of clarity regarding the US President’s assertions. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, took to social media to assert that Modi appeared “frightened of Trump,” drawing attention to the lack of official response and highlighting Modi’s repeated congratulatory messages to Trump despite prior perceived slights. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also called for a public clarification, stating that silence in such situations amounted to a betrayal of the public interest.

Hours after Trump’s remarks made headlines, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued an official response. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s independent stance on energy policy, stating, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”

The MEA also categorically denied Trump’s claim that there had been a phone conversation between PM Modi and Trump regarding Russian oil purchases. Jaiswal said, “I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders,” during the weekly press briefing. On India’s trade ties with the United States, Jaiswal added that India has long sought to expand energy procurement from the US, and these efforts have steadily progressed over the past decade. The current administration in Washington, he noted, had also shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India, with discussions ongoing.

This clarification came against the backdrop of Sergio Gor’s recent signals that the United States seeks greater access to the Indian market for American crude and petroleum products. The MEA’s response underscored India’s commitment to ensuring energy security for its citizens while maintaining its autonomy in making strategic decisions in the energy sector.

Amid the speculation and diplomatic commentary, Russia also weighed in on the issue. Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, affirmed that the oil supplied to India by Moscow is beneficial for the Indian economy. He stated, “India and the US are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues. Our oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy and the welfare of the Indian people.” The Russian statement emphasized that India’s energy procurement from Russia is guided by economic considerations rather than geopolitical pressure, highlighting the mutually beneficial nature of the trade relationship between India and Russia.

The timing of Trump’s remarks, particularly in relation to the recent trade discussions and tariffs, raised questions regarding the motivations and accuracy of his statements. While the US administration has expressed concern over India’s import of Russian oil, the Indian government has maintained a consistent policy of safeguarding consumer interests, stabilizing domestic energy prices, and ensuring that any decisions regarding international trade are taken independently. India’s stance reflects a careful balancing act between maintaining good diplomatic relations with the United States and securing energy resources in a volatile global market.

Trump’s public statement also reignited domestic political debates, especially with upcoming elections and ongoing scrutiny over Modi’s international relations. Opposition leaders used the incident to question the Prime Minister’s decision-making and to highlight the perceived influence of foreign leaders on India’s domestic policies. The MEA’s response served to reaffirm India’s sovereignty in making independent energy and trade decisions, countering any notion that Modi’s government might act under external pressure.

Overall, the events of the past 24 hours illustrate the complexities of international diplomacy, trade negotiations, and energy security. India remains a significant player in global energy markets, with strategic ties to both the United States and Russia. While Trump’s claims caused a temporary stir, India’s official response clarified that energy procurement policies are guided by domestic priorities, and no formal commitments have been made to alter trade relations with Russia. The situation also highlights the need for careful communication between world leaders, as off-the-cuff statements can have wide-reaching implications for international relations and domestic politics.

In conclusion, the series of events underscores the multifaceted nature of India-US-Russia relations, where trade policies, energy security, and political considerations intersect. India’s independent decision-making, the continued importance of Russian oil for its economy, and the US interest in expanding energy exports to India will continue to shape discussions in the coming months. Meanwhile, domestic political actors remain vigilant in monitoring and critiquing the government’s handling of such international statements, highlighting the intertwined nature of global diplomacy and domestic political discourse.