India has responded to United States President Donald Trump’s statement alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to halt oil imports from Russia.
The clarification came through a formal response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on October 16, 2025, stressing that the country’s energy decisions are guided by consumer welfare and economic stability, not political influence.
“It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” read part of the statement from India.
“Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”
India Responds to Trump’s Remarks
President Trump, on Wednesday 15, said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told him that India would cease buying Russian oil, a potentially significant move to further pressure Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
“That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he added.
Trump said the shift would happen “within a short period of time.”
He described the alleged assurance as a “big stop” and added that similar commitments were expected from China.
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The remarks quickly gained international attention, prompting a direct response from New Delhi.
The MEA issued a statement categorically clarifying India’s position, maintaining that its energy sourcing policies are shaped by economic considerations and the need to protect citizens from volatile fuel prices.
Policy Guided by National Interest
In the official statement, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirmed that India’s import strategy is focused on ensuring affordability and reliability in energy supply.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” Jaiswal said.
“Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy,” he further noted.
Also Read: Trump Reveals Why US Will Terminate Cooking Oil Business with China
The spokesperson explained that this includes broadening the country’s import base and diversifying energy sources to respond effectively to market dynamics.
Deepening Energy Ties with the U.S.
While rejecting any suggestion of ending Russian oil imports, India highlighted its ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation with the United States in the energy sector.
“Where the U.S. is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade,” Jaiswal stated.
He added that discussions between both nations to deepen collaboration are ongoing.
India has consistently defended its decision to continue purchasing oil from Russia, emphasizing that it acts in line with its national interest and energy security needs.
The country also acknowledged the importance of diversifying suppliers to maintain stability amid global disruptions.
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