WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 15 that India has pledged to stop purchasing oil from Russia within a short period, a decision that would help cut off funding for Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
“Within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a press conference.
Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave him the assurance on Oct. 15.
“That’s a big stop,” Trump said. “Now [I’ve] got to get China to do the same thing.”
Trump has repeatedly accused India and China of buying Russian crude oil and funding Moscow’s aggression in Eastern Europe.
“We were not happy with him buying oil from Russia, because that lets Russia continue on with this ridiculous war,” Trump said of Modi.
In recent years, India has become one of Russia’s most important trading partners, with annual bilateral trade rising to nearly $69 billion. The rapid increase in trade has been fueled primarily by energy purchases.
“Indian refiners have temporarily ramped up Russian crude imports, without any visible signs of concern emerging from the political leadership,” the foundation wrote in a report.
The United States has accused India of reselling Russian oil on the open market, allegedly further benefiting Russia.
“India’s subsequent reselling of this oil on the open market, often at significant profit, further enables the Russian Federation’s economy to fund its aggression,” Trump’s executive order reads.
In December 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Modi signed a flurry of trade and arms deals. Putin and Modi also signed nine agreements related to trade, research, and climate action in July 2024.
According to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office, the U.S. goods trade deficit with India was almost $46 billion in 2024, representing a 5.9 percent increase from 2023.
