Trump's latest claim on the future of the India-Russia energy ties comes in the backdrop of ongoing trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington.
Days after he claimed that India would soon pause its Russian oil trade, US President Donald Trump has intensified the claim, now saying India has "largely stopped" the purchase.
Trump made the remarks on Friday during his White House media interaction, and even indicated that he may visit India next year. "They (trade talks with India) are going good, he stopped buying oil from Russia largely. He is a friend of mine, and we speak and he wants me to go there. We will figure that out, I will go...," Trump said.
Trump's latest claim on the future of the India-Russia energy ties comes in the backdrop of ongoing trade negotiations between New Delhi and Washington, and Russian oil is central to that discussion.
Trump had imposed 50% tariffs on Indian imports, that took effect back in August. While there has been shift in Trump's tone towards India since then, he remains on the demand that India must stop Russian oil trade.
Half of the tariffs were imposed on India citing its energy deals with Russia. The sweeping duties were being seen as a way to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war with Ukraine.
India became the largest buyer of Russian crude after the US first imposed sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine. In the first nine months of 2025, India reportedly imported 1.7 million barrels per day, accounting for 34% of its total crude imports.
