President Donald Trump has stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has committed to halting the purchase of Russian oil as part of the U.S. efforts to exert economic pressure on Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump mentioned receiving assurances from Modi that India would cease its purchases “within a short period of time,” characterizing this as a significant development.
The Indian embassy in Washington has not provided comments regarding Trump’s statement. The U.S. has aimed to leverage India’s oil purchases from Russia amid a broader trade disagreement, but India has maintained its stance on continuing these imports, which has led to diplomatic tensions. Russia’s oil and gas exports are crucial, with key buyers including China, India, and Turkey.
In addition to India, Trump expressed intentions to persuade China and other trading partners to stop buying oil from Russia in an effort to cut off Moscow’s energy funding. He acknowledged that India could not cease its oil shipments immediately, suggesting that the process would require time but would be resolved soon.
The Trump administration has imposed substantial tariffs on Indian goods, reported to reach 50%, with trade penalties including a 25% surcharge on transactions linked to Russia. This has been portrayed as a retaliation against India for its dealings with Russia.
Modi has maintained that India is neutral regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, despite its historical ties with Russia. Indian officials criticized the U.S. administration for accusing them of profiting from Russia’s actions, citing ongoing trade relationships between the U.S., Europe, and Russia. India continues to rely on discounted Russian crude oil to sustain its economy, the fifth largest globally.
Despite the tensions, Trump acknowledged Modi as a “great man” and noted discussions about trade negotiations during their recent conversations. The relationship between the two leaders remains complex amid the overarching geopolitical challenges.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8gdl54n1go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss