Russia has dismissed US President Donald Trump’s assertion that India has agreed to stop buying Russian crude, saying no such assurance has been given by New Delhi.
Speaking in Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had not heard any official confirmation from Indian authorities supporting Trump’s remarks. He noted that neither Prime Minister Narendra Modi nor other senior Indian leaders had made a statement indicating that India intended to end its purchases of Russian oil.
Trump had recently suggested that India would scale back or completely stop importing Russian crude as part of ongoing trade discussions between Washington and New Delhi. His comments came alongside announcements related to an interim trade understanding between the two countries, which he described as a step forward in strengthening bilateral ties.
However, Indian officials have maintained a consistent position on energy policy: procurement decisions are guided by national interest, market conditions and energy security needs. Since Western sanctions were imposed on Moscow following the Ukraine conflict, India has significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude, helping stabilise domestic fuel prices while diversifying supply sources.
Lavrov also criticised what he described as attempts by the United States to pressure countries into limiting energy ties with Russia. He argued that energy cooperation remains a sovereign decision and said Moscow continues to view its partnership with India as stable and mutually beneficial.
The issue unfolds at a time when India is playing a prominent diplomatic role within BRICS, the grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Energy cooperation between member states has remained an important pillar of engagement.
While Washington’s position signals continuing geopolitical friction, there has been no official announcement from India indicating a policy shift. For now, Russia insists that talk of India halting oil imports exists only in political rhetoric, not in confirmed agreements.
