NEW DELHI — India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it is unaware of a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, after the American leader claimed that New Delhi had pledged to halt purchases of Russian oil during an Oct 15 discussion.“To the best of our knowledge, I am not aware of any conversation between PM Modi and President Trump yesterday,” foreign ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Oct 16 in New Delhi.
The clarification came hours after President Trump told US media at the White House that Prime Minister Modi had agreed to stop imports of Russian crude—an assertion that took Indian officials and energy executives by surprise. Washington and New Delhi have been navigating turbulent trade waters since President Trump announced a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods earlier this year, describing the move as a response to India’s continued energy cooperation with Moscow. Yet both sides have since signaled interest in stabilizing ties, with trade negotiators meeting in the US this week to finalize an agreement expected by November.
While the White House declined to confirm whether a direct call took place, an official said “productive discussions” had occurred and noted that India’s imports of Russian oil are gradually declining. India became one of Russia’s largest crude buyers following the start of the Ukraine war in 2022, benefiting from discounted prices. Although September imports dipped modestly, Russian oil still accounted for roughly one-third of India’s total crude purchases, according to industry data.
Executives from several state-owned Indian refiners said they were not briefed about any commitment to cease Russian imports, suggesting policy continuity in the near term. “We have not received any directive from New Delhi,” one executive said, speaking on condition of anonymity. Moscow remains confident of maintaining its energy partnership with India. Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Oct 16 that New Delhi would keep buying Russian oil as long as it remains economically favorable.
This is not the first time that India has disputed President Trump’s account of diplomatic exchanges. Earlier this year, he said trade leverage helped him broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, an assertion repeatedly denied by Indian officials but welcomed by Islamabad. Despite the exchange of conflicting statements, both governments appear intent on recalibrating ties. “Consumer interest will continue to guide our energy policy,” Jaiswal reiterated, noting India’s long-term aim of broadening cooperation with the United States in the energy sector.