Calls it ‘big step’ toward ending Ukraine war
US President Donald Trump has claimed that his “friend” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, a move he described as a “big step” toward increasing pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
India’s continuing purchase of petroleum products from Russia, notwithstanding Western sanctions, has become a major issue that resulted in a severe downturn in ties between New Delhi and Washington.
Speaking to reporters at his Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump said the US was “not happy” that India was buying Russian crude, arguing such purchases helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war.
“He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship… we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they’ve lost a million and a half people,” the US president said in response to a question.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said.
No Modi-Trump phone call on Wednesday, says India: India on Thursday said it is “broad-basing and diversifying” its sourcing of energy to meet market conditions, hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Modi assured him that New Delhi will stop procuring Russian crude oil.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions on Trump’s remarks, said he was not aware of any such phone conversation, adding India’s oil purchases are guided to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumers in a “volatile” energy scenario.