India has firmly dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to stop importing oil from Russia, asserting that the country’s energy decisions are guided solely by national interests and not influenced by external pressures.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that India’s top priority is to protect consumers from global energy volatility while ensuring stable and secure supplies. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India’s oil import strategy focuses on three key factors — availability, affordability, and diversification — and remains completely independent of political commitments.
While acknowledging India’s growing energy cooperation with the U.S., the government categorically denied making any binding commitment to halt Russian oil imports. Meanwhile, the Opposition, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, criticized the government, alleging that Modi had allowed Trump to influence India’s foreign policy.
Trump’s comments also rippled through global markets, causing Brent crude prices to rise by about 1%, amid speculation that India might reconsider its Russian oil imports. However, Reuters reported that Indian refiners have not made any immediate changes to their purchase plans.
In a decisive statement, India reaffirmed that its energy security and economic stability would remain the driving forces behind its import choices — not international pressure or political narratives.
