Trump Says India Will Reduce, Not Stop, Russian Oil Purchases; Diwali Meeting Highlights US-India Ties
Former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that India will be tapering its oil imports from Russia, signaling a shift from his earlier claim...
Former US President Donald Trump on Tuesday suggested that India will be tapering its oil imports from Russia, signaling a shift from his earlier claim that New Delhi would halt purchases completely. The comments came during a White House Diwali event, where Trump lit a traditional diya and greeted Indian-Americans in the administration and corporate world.
“I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today… He's not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war [between Russia and Ukraine] end as much as I do. They're not going to be buying too much oil,” Trump said. He added that India had already “cut it way back” and was continuing to do so.
The former US president appeared to dial back previous statements that India would implement a “big stop” on Russian oil, offering some flexibility for ongoing trade and tariff discussions between the two nations. However, oil trade sources report no significant reduction yet, as much of India’s purchases are conducted through private firms with existing contracts.
US-India Relations and Diwali Diplomacy
Trump used the event to emphasize his personal rapport with PM Modi, calling him “a great friend” and highlighting ongoing efforts to forge economic deals between the US and India. The gathering, attended by Indian-American leaders and business figures, underscored his efforts to repair relations and maintain goodwill with India, a country where his approval had historically been strong before trade disputes affected perceptions.
“I love the people of India. We're working on some great deals between our countries,” Trump said.
The two leaders could meet as early as next week on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Malaysia, though Modi’s schedule remains unannounced. Diplomats have noted caution among leaders from Russia, China, and India regarding informal or media-heavy interactions with Trump, citing concerns over lack of preparation and grandstanding.
Other Key Remarks
At the Diwali event, Trump also commented on India-Pakistan relations, saying he and Modi discussed “let’s have no war with Pakistan.” New Delhi has consistently stressed bilateral engagement and non-proliferation of nuclear threats in the region.
Additionally, Trump retracted an earlier plan to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, calling it “a waste of time” unless substantive progress on a Ukraine ceasefire could be achieved. Moscow seeks guarantees that Ukraine remains neutral, a condition unacceptable to Kiev and European partners.
Implications
Trump’s remarks signal a nuanced approach to US-India-Russia energy diplomacy, balancing political optics with commercial realities. While India is unlikely to completely halt oil imports from Russia, the comments may influence international perceptions of Delhi’s alignment amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe.