The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a firm response after former US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop importing Russian oil. Emphasizing that India’s energy strategy is driven by national priorities, the MEA stressed the importance of protecting consumers amid global market volatility.
In its statement, the MEA said, “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. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.” It added that ensuring stable prices and secure supplies remains central to the country’s energy policy, which includes diversifying sources and adapting to market conditions.
The ministry also highlighted ongoing energy cooperation with the United States, noting that India has steadily expanded partnerships over the last decade. “The current administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” the statement said.
Trump, during a White House briefing with FBI Director Kash Patel, called Modi’s assurance a “big step” and said, “I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. Now we've got to get China to do the same thing.”
