India to cut Russian oil imports by 40% by year-end? Trump repeats claim, says 'It's a process'

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (local time) that India will cut Russian oil imports by almost 40% by the end of the year. Trump said, "India, as you know, told me they would stop...it's a process. You can't just stop [buying oil from Russia]."

Trump said the process of phasing out Russian oil imports will be gradual, claiming that India will bring it "down to almost nothing" by the end of the year.

“But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing, that is almost 40% of the oil. India has been great,” he said during an interaction with press persons in the White House, while hosting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Trump added that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday and said, “They have been absolutely great.” Earlier on Tuesday, Trump had said, “I just spoke to your Prime Minister today. Had a great conversation. We talked about trade. He's very interested in that,” Trump said.

The US President then added, “Although we did talk a little while ago about let's have no wars with Pakistan. The fact that trade was involved, I was able to talk about that.”

India's Russian oil imports

Trump has repeatedly said that Modi has assured him India would reduce the import of oil from Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since 2022.

However, India denies any agreement, emphasising its priority to safeguard consumer interests, ANI reported. The country's energy policy prioritises stable prices and secure supplies.

Trump had imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, urging New Delhi to diversify energy sources.

Earlier Sunday, Trump continued his criticism of India's purchase of Russian oil and said that New Delhi would continue to pay tariffs until it halts its imports from Moscow.

During his gaggle with the Press on Air Force One, Trump was asked about India denying any call between him and Modi last week. 

"Well then, they're going to just keep paying a lot of tariffs if they said that, but I don't believe they said that. No, I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," he had said.

Trump then added, "But if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that."

Indian reacts

Earlier, India responded to Trump's comments about Modi assuring him to halt Russian oil purchases, saying that the country's energy sourcing is guided by its national interests and the need to protect Indian consumers.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal said last week that Trump and Modi spoke on 9 October, during which the prime minister congratulated the US president on the success of the Gaza peace plan.

Meanwhile, Trump acknowledged China's complex relationship with Russia, attributing it to past US policies.

“China is a little bit different. A little bit different relationship they had with Russia. It was never good, but because of Biden and Obama, they got forced together; they never should have been forced together, but by nature, they can't be friendly. I hope they are friendly, frankly. You should not have forced China and Russia together. Biden did that, and Obama did that. They forced them together because of energy, oil.”

US sanctions Russia's two largest oil companies

Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed Ukraine-related sanctions on Russia for the first time in his second term, targeting oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft as his frustration grows with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war.

The move came after EU countries on Wednesday approved a 19th package of sanctions on Moscow for its war against Ukraine, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas imports. Trump's measures also followed Britain's sanctioning of Rosneft and Lukoil last week.

Trump to meet Xi?

Talking about his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said he will "probably" talk about Russian imports with his Chinese counterpart, but his primary focus would be on how to end the war with Russia and Ukraine.

"I will probably be talking about it. What I will really be talking about is how we would end the war with Russia and Ukraine, whether through energy, oil or anything else. I think he (Xi Jinping) is going to be very receptive. I think he would like to see the war end," Trump said.

Trump further said that he is hopeful that the Chinese President can have a "big influence" on Putin to urge him to a ceasefire.

"I think he will have a big influence on Putin. I think he can have a big influence on a lot of people. He is a respected man, a very strong leader, very big country, I think he can have a big influence," Trump added.