US President Donald Trump said India will sharply cut its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, citing a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can’t just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing," Trump said while addressing reporters at the White House, alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

The US President praised India’s cooperation as a big thing, noting that nearly 40 per cent of India’s crude imports currently come from Russia.

"India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great," Trump added. Trump said the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets but expressed confidence it

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