US President Donald Trump has reiterated his assertion that India will cease purchasing oil from Russia, a claim that has been denied by the Indian government. During a press briefing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House, Trump stated, "India won’t be buying Russian oil anymore," despite India's ongoing energy trade with Moscow.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Trump's comments, clarifying that there had been no recent communication between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized, "There was no conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders." The last official discussion occurred on October 9, when Modi congratulated Trump on his Gaza peace plan.

Trump's remarks come amid increasing pressure from the US for India to halt its oil imports from Russia, especially following the sanctions imposed on Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine. The US has expressed concerns that India's purchases are indirectly supporting Russia's military actions. Trump claimed that Modi had assured him that India would stop buying Russian oil, calling it a "big step" in increasing pressure on Moscow.

Despite this pressure, India has defended its energy imports from Russia, citing national interest and energy security. The Indian government has stated that its import policy is designed to protect the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy market. In the previous year, India imported $52.7 billion worth of Russian crude oil, which accounted for 37% of its total oil bill.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to a significant increase in India's oil imports from Russia, as traditional buyers have reduced their purchases, allowing India to benefit from discounted prices. Experts warn that if India were to stop buying Russian oil, it could lead to a rise in global oil prices, impacting consumers and potentially increasing inflation in India. The Modi government is likely to weigh these economic implications carefully as it navigates international pressures regarding its energy policies.