India prioritises consumer interests in oil and gas imports: MEA amid Trump’s Russian oil comments

October 16, 2025

Washington: Amid US President Donald Trump’s comments regarding the purchase of Russian Oil from India, MEA official spokesperson, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, emphasised that India’s energy sourcing decisions are guided entirely by domestic priorities, particularly safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile global energy market.

“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy,” Jaiswal said.

He added that India’s approach has always involved broad-basing its energy procurement and diversifying sources to adapt to global market conditions.

On cooperation with the United States, the MEA noted that India has for years sought to expand energy ties with the US, and progress has steadily increased over the past decade. “The current US Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” Jaiswal said.

The statement comes after Trump claimed that Modi had assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia, describing it as a “big step” in pressuring Moscow amid the Ukraine war. India has consistently maintained that its energy imports, including Russian crude, are driven by affordability and national energy security, while its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains independent and balanced.

Donald Trump’s Comment on Russian Oil Purchase

US President Donald Trump has described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and India as “an incredible country”, adding that he is open to meeting the Prime Minister on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia.

When asked about a potential meeting with the Prime Minister in Malaysia during a press conference at the White House, Trump said, “Yeah, sure, he’s a friend of mine. We have a great relationship.”

“He’s a great man. He loves Trump…I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country, and every single year you’d have a new leader. I mean, some would be in there for a few months, and this was year after year after year. And my friend has been there now for a long time,” he added.

Trump also claimed that he has been “assured” that India won’t be buying oil from Russia, while adding that he understands that it can’t be done “immediately”. However, India has not yet responded to this claim.

“He assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia…You can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon, and all we want from President Putin…is to stop this,” he noted. He added that if India doesn’t buy Russian oil, it makes it “much easier” to end the conflict. “Within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia, and they’ll go back to Russia after the war’s over,” he emphasised.

Trump told reporters that he would also pressure China “to do the same thing.” While India has started buying Russian oil in the last few years, China is Moscow’s biggest energy buyer.

The Trump administration imposed an additional 25 per cent tariffs on India in August for purchasing Russian oil while taking no action against China. Trump also said that the new US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who was present in the Oval Office, is going to do a “great job”. “We have the new ambassador to India right here. They’re well represented. You better represent us, not them, okay? But Sergio is going to do a great job. He’s going to do a great job,” he noted.