New Delhi: India and Russia have long been strong partners. They have diplomatic relations that support each other. But will these relations now sour? US President Donald Trump has made a surprising claim regarding India and Russia. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India will no longer purchase oil from Russia.
Donald Trump has called this a major step, saying that it is part of his efforts to isolate Russia due to the Ukraine war. Furthermore, India has not yet issued any statement regarding Trump’s claim. All eyes are on India’s statement. If India endorses Donald Trump’s statement, the distance between India and Russia could increase.
Donald Trump made a significant statement.
US President Donald Trump made a surprising statement while speaking to reporters at the White House. He said he expressed concern to Prime Minister Modi about India’s continued imports of Russian crude oil, which Washington believes helps fund President Vladimir Putin’s war. Trump further stated That’s why I wasn’t happy that India was buying oil.
He claimed that Modi assured him today that he won’t buy oil from Russia. This is a big step. Now we have to ask China to do the same. Furthermore, despite differences on energy policy, PM Modi is a close ally. When Trump was asked if he considers India a reliable partner amid tensions with China,
Trump linked Russian oil imports to the Ukraine war
Donald Trump said that India’s oil purchases have indirectly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He said that continued trade allows Russia to continue this ridiculous war, in which it has lost 150,000 people.
“This is a war that should never have started, but it’s a war that Russia should have won in the first week, and they’re entering their fourth year. I want to see it stopped,” he said. Trump added that seeking assurances from Modi was part of his diplomatic effort to cut off Moscow’s energy revenue.