The US president says halting Russian oil imports by India could pressure Moscow amid the Ukraine war.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would stop purchasing Russian oil, a move Trump described as a “big step” in efforts to economically isolate Moscow.
India and China remain the largest buyers of Russian seaborne crude exports, taking advantage of discounted prices following sanctions imposed by the US and European Union after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump Targets India’s Russian Oil Purchases
Trump has been critical of India’s oil purchases from Russia, imposing tariffs on Indian exports to the US to reduce Moscow’s oil revenue. Speaking at a White House event, Trump said:
“So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”
Trump also noted that India could not halt shipments immediately, describing it as “a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon.”
The Indian embassy in Washington had not responded to inquiries regarding whether Modi officially committed to halting Russian oil purchases.
Potential Global Energy Implications
If India were to stop importing Russian crude, it could mark a significant shift in global energy diplomacy, given that India has been a key customer for Russia. Such a move would tighten economic pressure on Moscow and potentially influence other nations still importing Russian oil.
Trump’s Broader Diplomacy and Peace Claims
In the same event, Trump highlighted his role in averting conflicts, claiming he had “stopped eight wars so far.” He referenced close calls between India and Pakistan, noting that seven planes were shot down during recent tensions and a nuclear conflict was narrowly avoided.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Trump as a “genuine man of peace,” crediting him for halting potential wars in South Asia and the Middle East, including conflicts in Gaza. Shehbaz confirmed that Pakistan had previously nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize and indicated intentions to re-nominate him for his diplomatic efforts.
During the recent Gaza peace conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Shehbaz described Trump as having “visionary and exemplary leadership” and stated that history would remember him for preventing full-scale wars between nuclear-armed nations.
Context of India-Pakistan Tensions
The recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan came after a four-day conflict triggered by an April attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). While India blamed Islamabad for the attack, Pakistan denied involvement and offered to participate in an independent investigation.
Trump’s comments underscore his continued focus on leveraging bilateral relationships to enforce sanctions and maintain global peace, emphasizing India’s potential role in further isolating Russia economically.
