United States President Donald Trump has once again asserted that India will be reducing its purchase of Russian oil, making the claim during a media interaction aboard Air Force One on Sunday. The remarks come as the former president embarks on his first Asia tour, attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, and amid heightened tensions in global energy markets following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Trump, a Republican leader known for his assertive foreign policy statements, repeated his earlier claims regarding New Delhi’s oil purchases from Russia, stating that India will be “cutting back completely” on its procurement. Speaking to reporters, he drew comparisons with China, noting that Beijing was “cutting back very substantially” on Russian oil imports. He added that the United States had implemented sanctions as part of an effort to curtail Russian oil exports.

“I may be discussing it,” Trump said when asked if he would raise the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping. “You probably saw today, China is cutting back very substantially on the purchase of Russian oil, and India is cutting back completely, and we’ve done sanctions.”

Background: India-Russia Oil Trade and US Tariffs

India has maintained a significant level of energy imports from Russia, particularly crude oil, since the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in early 2022. While Western countries, including the United States and European Union, have imposed sanctions on Russian oil and gas exports, India has continued to source crude from Russia, citing affordability and strategic energy security.

The ongoing trade in Russian oil has been a source of friction between India and the United States. Earlier this year, Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, accusing New Delhi of “fuelling the war in Ukraine” through its oil purchases. The tariffs have strained economic and trade relations, making energy policy a focal point in diplomatic discussions between the two nations.

Trump’s remarks come against this backdrop of tension, as he seeks to project an image of influence over global energy markets while framing India’s oil decisions as aligned with US policy objectives. He suggested that India’s reduction in Russian oil purchases would be gradual but substantial by the end of the year.

Trump’s Assertions and India’s Response

In the interaction on Air Force One, Trump elaborated on his claim, stating, “India, as you know, has told me they are going to stop… it’s a process. You can’t just stop [buying oil from Russia]. By the end of the year, they’ll be down to almost nothing; almost 40 percent of the oil.”

This marks a reiteration of a statement he made earlier this month, wherein he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would cut back and eventually stop its purchase of Russian oil. However, these claims have been firmly contested by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that India will “prioritise its national interest and the Indian consumer first amid a volatile energy market.” He further stated that the ministry was “not aware” of any telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Modi and Trump in which such assurances were given. The Indian government has consistently maintained that energy security, domestic demand, and price stability remain central to its policy decisions, and that any reduction in Russian oil imports will be determined by market conditions rather than external pressures.

The Broader Energy and Geopolitical Context

India’s energy strategy has involved balancing the need for affordable fuel with geopolitical considerations. Russian crude oil has often been priced lower than global benchmarks, making it attractive for India amid rising domestic energy consumption and volatile global oil prices. Analysts note that while Western nations have attempted to isolate Russia economically, India has exercised strategic autonomy, maintaining its energy partnerships without explicitly contravening sanctions.

Trump’s claims must also be viewed within the broader context of US energy diplomacy. By asserting that India and China are reducing Russian oil purchases, Trump positions the United States as having leverage over global energy flows and implies that his administration is successfully curbing Russian revenue streams amid the Ukraine conflict. However, critics argue that such statements are more rhetorical than factual, particularly given India’s consistent messaging that energy procurement decisions are based on domestic priorities rather than external influence.

Trump’s Meeting with Xi Jinping

The remarks were made ahead of Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic effort to reduce trade frictions between Washington and Beijing, especially following the US decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports. Trump indicated that energy and trade issues would likely be discussed during this bilateral interaction, reflecting the interlinked nature of global commerce, energy security, and geopolitical strategy.

China, like India, has also faced criticism from the United States and its allies for continuing purchases of Russian crude, albeit at reduced levels according to Trump. The former president highlighted Beijing’s “substantial” reduction in imports, suggesting that both Asian powers were responding to US sanctions and international pressure.

Implications for India-US Relations

Trump’s repeated claims about India’s energy policy may complicate bilateral relations, even as India continues to engage with the United States on multiple fronts, including trade, investment, and strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. By asserting that India will cut Russian oil imports, Trump projects a narrative of US influence that New Delhi has not endorsed.

Analysts note that while Trump frames his statements as evidence of diplomatic success, the Indian government’s insistence on national interest and energy security highlights the complexities of international energy politics. India must balance its economic growth, domestic energy needs, and geopolitical positioning without compromising sovereignty or appearing to bow to external pressure.

Energy Security and Domestic Considerations

India’s continued engagement with Russian oil is part of a broader energy security strategy that includes diversifying import sources, maintaining strategic petroleum reserves, and negotiating favorable contracts. Reducing purchases from Russia abruptly could create supply shortages, drive up domestic fuel prices, and strain economic stability.

As such, while Trump’s statements suggest a complete reduction by the end of the year, the practical realities of India’s energy requirements mean that any shift will likely be gradual and market-driven. New Delhi has consistently emphasised that its energy policy is determined by national priorities, global market conditions, and the interests of its citizens, rather than external political assertions.

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s renewed claims that India will cut back on Russian oil underscore the intersection of energy policy, international diplomacy, and domestic politics. While Trump frames the issue as a diplomatic victory for the United States, India maintains that its energy procurement decisions are guided by strategic and economic considerations, not external pressure.

The remarks come amid Trump’s ongoing Asia tour, including engagements at the ASEAN summit and planned meetings with leaders from China, Japan, and South Korea. They also reflect the broader US effort to influence global energy markets and apply pressure on Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

For India, the focus remains on ensuring energy security, affordability, and supply stability while navigating a complex global landscape of sanctions, international pressure, and volatile crude prices. As the United States continues to assert its influence, India’s approach highlights the balance between strategic autonomy and engagemen