A major geopolitical stir erupted from Washington to Brussels after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that India had stopped buying Russian oil under American pressure. However, India quickly debunked this narrative, stating that the country continues to import oil from Russia in line with its national interests—and even for the greater global good.
The Trump Narrative
Trump, during a recent event, stated that he had heard India had stopped purchasing Russian oil, calling it a "good step." He implied that this was a result of the pressure exerted by his tariff threats, especially a proposed 25% tariff plus penalties on nations continuing oil and arms trade with Russia. His message was clear: India had allegedly yielded to American pressure.
This claim came at a time when the U.S. is actively warning India over its ties with Russia, especially in terms of energy and defense cooperation.
The Origin of the Confusion
The confusion stemmed from a report published by Reuters and amplified by several Western media outlets. These reports, citing unnamed sources, claimed that Indian state-run refiners—namely IOC, HPCL, BPCL, and MRPL—had halted Russian oil purchases. However, the reports lacked any official confirmation.
Trump seemingly picked up on this unverified information and used it to bolster his stance on U.S. foreign policy and economic pressure tactics.
India Sets the Record Straight
Soon after Trump’s statement gained traction, Indian government officials clarified through news agency ANI that the country has not stopped buying Russian oil. They emphasized that continuing to source energy from Russia aligns with India’s national interest and contributes to global market stability.
According to Indian officials, Russian oil plays a vital role in maintaining global energy prices and supply consistency. Russia is the world's second-largest producer of crude oil, pumping approximately 9.5 million barrels per day, and the second-largest exporter, shipping out around 4.5 million barrels of crude and 2.3 million barrels of refined products like petrol and diesel.
Officials stressed that removing Russia from the global energy equation would erase 10% of the world's energy supply. They reminded the world of what happened in 2022—merely the rumor of sanctions on Russian oil pushed crude prices up to $137 per barrel. Had actual bans been imposed, prices could have soared above $200, triggering a worldwide inflation crisis.
Why Russian Oil Is Crucial for India
India is the third-largest energy consumer in the world and imports about 85% of its crude oil needs. For a country with such high dependence, securing affordable and reliable energy is a strategic priority.
India has consistently followed the price cap of $60 per barrel set by the G7 and European Union, showing that it complies with globally agreed mechanisms. Now that the EU is planning to revise the cap to $47.6, India has indicated it will respect that as well.
Exposing Western Hypocrisy
Indian officials also took the opportunity to expose what they called a double standard by the European Union. While Western nations criticize India’s oil imports, EU itself remains the largest buyer of Russian LNG—accounting for 51% of Russia’s LNG exports. China follows with 21%. Even in pipeline gas, the EU holds the top spot with a 37% share.
India questioned the moral logic behind this selective criticism, sarcastically asking why it’s acceptable for the EU to buy Russian gas via pipelines, but wrong for India to import crude by ship.
A Geopolitical Tug-of-War
Trump’s comment was likely more than a casual statement—it was a deliberate geopolitical move. The underlying objective seemed to be to increase pressure on India, pushing it to reduce its dependence on Russia and shift towards U.S. energy and defense markets instead.
But India made its position crystal clear: It will act solely in its national interest, not under any foreign pressure. Until and unless there is a full legal embargo on Russian oil, India will continue to buy it. Moreover, Indian purchases help balance the global oil market—especially critical as OPEC+ continues production cuts that could otherwise drive prices even higher.
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s assertion turned out to be part of a political narrative, rather than a fact-based claim. In reality, not only has India not stopped buying Russian oil, but it has also helped stabilize the global economy by doing so. This saga underscores India’s assertive foreign policy stance—where decisions are made in New Delhi, not dictated from Washington or Brussels.
Within hours, Trump’s claim was exposed, and the global audience saw that India neither fears nor bows to external pressure. The message from India was loud and clear: The country stands by its national interest and global responsibilities, regardless of foreign rhetoric.
Disclaimer:This article is for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on publicly available reports, official statements, and media sources. It does not constitute investment, political, or foreign policy advice. Readers are advised to verify information independently and interpret it in the context of ongoing geopolitical developments.
