The United States has intensified its geopolitical efforts to restrict countries from continuing trade relations with Russia, particularly in the energy sector, as part of its broader campaign to cut off Moscow’s financial resources amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In this context, President Donald Trump addressed reports that Indian state-run oil refineries have ceased their purchases of Russian crude—a development he cautiously welcomed as a “good step,” though he admitted uncertainty about its accuracy.
Speaking to reporters, Trump commented on the situation, saying, “I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens.” His remarks come as the U.S. ramps up diplomatic and economic pressure on countries that continue to support Russia’s oil trade, which remains a vital source of income for the Kremlin during its war against Ukraine.
India, which ranks as the world’s third-largest oil importer, had emerged as one of the top buyers of Russian crude following the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow in 2022. Indian refiners, especially state-run corporations such as Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum, had been capitalizing on steep discounts offered by Russia to offset shipping risks and geopolitical volatility.
However, reports surfaced on Thursday suggesting a significant shift, as several of these refiners reportedly paused their Russian oil imports. This decision was attributed to diminishing price advantages and increasing logistical hurdles, such as limited tanker availability and rising insurance premiums. These developments seemingly align with U.S. objectives, even as New Delhi navigates its strategic and economic imperatives.
The Trump administration’s pressure campaign reached a new level on July 30, when the president approved a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports and imposed additional economic penalties. He cited India’s continued energy trade with Russia and what he described as longstanding unfair trade practices as justification for the move. The announcement marked a significant escalation in bilateral trade tensions.
Earlier this week, Trump launched a harsh verbal attack on India, declaring both India and Russia as "dead economies" in a blunt social media post. “I don't care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” he wrote, intensifying the diplomatic standoff and provoking a strong response from New Delhi.
In response, India defended its longstanding diplomatic and strategic relationship with Russia. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, emphasized the depth of Indo-Russian relations, calling them a “steady and time-tested partnership.” At the same time, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to maintaining strong bilateral ties with the United States, expressing confidence that the two democracies would continue to build upon their shared interests despite the current tensions.
