Trump Claims India Stopped Buying Russian Oil, New Delhi Disputes Assertion
NEW DELHI – Former U.S.President Donald Trump claimed India had agreed to halt it’s purchases of Russian oil, a statement swiftly refuted by Indian officials who say they have no knowledge of any such agreement.The discrepancy highlights ongoing tensions in the U.S.-india relationship, elaborate by trade negotiations and India’s strategic interests.
the claim, made by Trump during a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, came as a surprise to New delhi, which has consistently maintained its right to secure energy supplies from all available sources, including Russia. india’s continued reliance on discounted Russian oil has been a point of contention with the United States, which has urged countries to reduce their dependence on Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine. This situation underscores the delicate balance India strikes between maintaining its strategic autonomy and navigating its increasingly vital partnership with the U.S.
CNN has reached out to Indian Oil Corporation Limited for comment on whether it plans to continue purchasing Russian oil and the factors guiding its sourcing strategy.
Earlier this month, Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged existing friction with the United States, attributing a significant portion of it to unresolved trade negotiations. He stated that the two countries “have not arrived at a landing ground for our trade discussions,” but affirmed India’s commitment to finding a solution.”Those issues need to be negotiated and discussed and resolved, which is exactly what we are trying to do,” Jaishankar said.
In recent weeks, diplomatic efforts have been underway between New Delhi and Washington to repair the relationship, with trade delegations focused on reaching a deal.Modi’s stance, refusing to yield to U.S. pressure, reinforces his political image as a strong leader prioritizing India’s interests on the global stage.
