Russia has issued an official response to US President Donald Trump's claim that India will cease its oil purchases from Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified on Monday that Russia has not received any official information or communication from New Delhi regarding such a decision, while this development follows a social media post by President Trump, where he claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him of stopping Russian oil imports in exchange for trade concessions.
Kremlin's Official Stance on Oil Imports
The Kremlin has expressed ignorance regarding the claims made by the US President, while dmitry Peskov told reporters that there has been no signal from New Delhi indicating a shift in its energy procurement strategy. He emphasized that the energy partnership between Russia and India remains strong and that no official changes have been communicated to Moscow, while according to the Kremlin, India has not released any statement that corroborates the claims made by the US administration regarding the cessation of oil trade.
Details of the Trump-Modi Trade Discussion Claims
Donald Trump recently commented on a potential trade deal, stating that he had held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to Trump, Modi agreed that India would stop buying oil from Russia, leading to a decision by the US to reduce tariffs. Trump claimed that due to India's continued purchase of Russian oil, the US had implemented a 50% tariff on Indian goods for the year 2025, which would now be reduced to 18%. However, the Indian government has not yet provided an official reaction to these specific claims regarding the trade-off.
Statistical Overview of India-Russia Energy Ties
India remains one of the largest consumers of Russian crude oil. In the fiscal year 2024-2025, India imported approximately 88 million metric tons of oil from Russia. According to data from Reuters, there was a slight dip in imports toward the end of 2025.38 million barrels of oil per day from Russia, which was about 22% lower than the average of previous months in the same year. Analysts suggest this fluctuation might be due to logistical or pricing factors rather than a definitive policy shift.
Potential Shift to Venezuela and Global Impact
In his statement, President Trump also suggested that India would pivot toward Venezuela for its oil requirements. While Trump mentioned this alternative, there is currently no official confirmation regarding the timeline or the volume of oil India might procure from Venezuela. Sources indicate that India's strategy continues to focus on sourcing energy from any non-sanctioned global provider that offers competitive pricing. Transitioning entirely away from Russian oil could pose significant economic challenges for India, given the discounted rates Moscow has provided since 2022.
Analysis and Diplomatic Implications
According to analysts, the situation highlights the complex balancing act India performs between its strategic ties with Russia and its growing economic partnership with the United States. The Trump administration's focus on tariffs as a tool for diplomatic benefit from is evident in these claims, while however, the lack of an official statement from New Delhi suggests that India is maintaining its neutral stance. The Kremlin's reaction underscores its reliance on India as a stable market. The global energy market remains watchful of any official confirmation from India's Ministry of External Affairs or the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.