US President Targets Moscow’s Energy Revenues

United States President Donald Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to halt India’s purchases of Russian crude oil. Trump added that his administration will now attempt to persuade China to take similar action as part of Washington’s effort to cut off Russia’s energy revenues amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

India and China are currently the largest buyers of Russian seaborne crude, benefiting from discounted prices following US and EU sanctions on Moscow after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

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Tariffs and Diplomatic Pressure

Trump has recently imposed US tariffs on Indian exports to discourage the country’s crude purchases from Russia. Speaking at a White House event, he said:

“So 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. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”

The Indian embassy in Washington has not yet confirmed whether Modi made an official commitment to Trump.

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India’s Oil Imports from Russia

Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, exporting approximately 1.62 million barrels per day to India in September 2025, accounting for roughly one-third of the country’s total oil imports. For months, India resisted US pressure, emphasizing that purchasing Russian crude is critical for national energy security.

Trump acknowledged that India cannot immediately halt imports, stating that it is “a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon.” Analysts note that a formal halt would represent a major shift in global energy trade and could influence other nations still importing Russian oil.

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Potential Impact on Global Energy Markets

If India follows through on Trump’s request, Moscow could lose one of its top energy customers, potentially reshaping global crude supply chains. Trump’s strategy focuses on leveraging bilateral diplomatic relationships rather than relying solely on multilateral sanctions to isolate Russia economically.

While the US is actively pressuring India, Trump has been more cautious with China due to the ongoing US-China trade war, which complicates efforts to curb Beijing’s energy imports from Russia.