India has reiterated that its energy import decisions are driven by the interests of its consumers, following comments from US President Donald Trump. Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would cease purchasing Russian oil. In response to media inquiries, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been a consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective. Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions."

Jaiswal emphasized that India has been expanding its energy procurement from the US over the past decade, and discussions to deepen this cooperation are ongoing. Trump's remarks came during a press briefing where he expressed dissatisfaction with India's Russian oil purchases, suggesting they support President Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine. He stated, "I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big step."

India's continued imports of Russian oil have drawn criticism from Western nations, particularly since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar has defended India's position, highlighting the need to secure the best deals for Indian citizens and pointing out perceived double standards from the West regarding global energy issues.

In a political response, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, claiming that Modi is "frightened" of Trump and has allowed him to dictate India's energy policies. Gandhi accused Modi of sending congratulatory messages to Trump despite facing repeated snubs. This ongoing debate underscores the complexities of India's energy strategy amid international pressures and geopolitical tensions.