Donald Trump 'heard' India may stop buying oil from Russia: ‘Good step’

His remarks come days after his tirade against India for buying Russian oil and White House's decision to levy 25% tariffs on all exports to America.

Updated on: Aug 2, 2025, 06:45:45 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he had heard that India might no longer buy oil from Russia, though he acknowledged he was not certain about the claim.

U.S. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S., August 1, 2025. (Reuters)

"I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard, I don't know if that's right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens," Donald Trump told reporters..

Trump's remarks come days after his tirade against India for buying Russian oil and the White House's decision to levy 25 per cent tariffs on all exports to America and an unspecified additional “penalty” for purchasing Russian energy.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump had criticised India for maintaining the world’s highest tariffs and “obnoxious” trade barriers while continuing to buy Russian military equipment and energy during the Ukraine war.

India, the world's third-largest oil importer, is the biggest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, a vital revenue earner for Russia. On Friday, news agency Reuters, citing sources, reported that India's state refiners have not purchased Russian oil for the last week.

What MEA said on Trump’s tariff threat

On Friday, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal defended India’s procurement of energy and defence hardware from Russia, saying New Delhi and Moscow have a “steady and time-tested partnership”.

“India and the US share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges,” Jaiswal said in response to several questions regarding Trump’s tariff policy.

Also Read | US sanctions 6 Indian companies for engaging in petroleum trade with Iran

“We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward,” he said.

He also pointed to the potential for growing the “strong defence partnership” with the US and highlighted that India's ties with the US had overcome several challenges and New Delhi is committed to taking the relationship forward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.