U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed to halting oil purchases from Russia, a move aimed at reducing Moscow’s energy revenues as part of a broader strategy to pressure Russia amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump also expressed intentions to persuade China to follow suit, emphasizing the importance of collective action from major economies.
India and China are currently the largest consumers of Russian seaborne crude, benefiting from discounted rates as Western nations, including the U.S. and the European Union, have imposed sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Trump’s recent comments come in light of his earlier criticisms of India’s oil purchases, which he argued undermined efforts to pressure Russia into peace negotiations. During a press event at the White House, Trump stated, “I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step.”
Despite the announcement from Trump, the Indian embassy in Washington did not confirm Modi’s commitment to this shift. Russia has been a crucial oil supplier for India, accounting for about one-third of its total oil imports with 1.62 million barrels per day recorded in September alone.
Over the months, India has faced U.S. pressure over its energy ties with Russia, with officials defending their purchases as essential for national energy security. Previously, Modi had resisted these pressures, arguing that alternatives would lead to higher import costs. Notably, Trump last month implemented tariffs on Indian exports to decrease India’s reliance on Russian crude.
Additionally, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the administration expects Japan to follow a similar path of reducing Russian energy imports, further illustrating a strategic approach to enforce economic isolation on Moscow. The Japanese Ministry of Finance did not immediately respond to these discussions.
The possible shift by India to cease oil imports from Russia could represent a significant realignment for a key ally and might influence other nations still engaged in Russian crude purchases. This scenario underlines Trump’s strategy of leveraging bilateral relationships to reinforce economic sanctions rather than relying solely on multilateral actions.
With global energy markets in flux and Brent crude prices hitting a five-month low due to an oversupply, the evolving geopolitical landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for collaboration. As discussions continue between the U.S. and its allies, there remains cautious optimism that diplomatic efforts can yield positive outcomes for international energy relations and stability.
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