Trump Welcomes Reports of India Halting Russian Oil Imports Amid Rising Tensions

International News: US President Donald Trump has responded to news that India may stop buying oil from Russia. He called it a good decision but said he is not sure if the reports are true. Trump made this comment while answering a question from ANI about whether he plans to speak with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I Heard India Will Not Buy Russian Oil Anymore": Trump

Trump said, “I heard that India will no longer purchase oil from Russia. I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s a good move. Let’s see what happens.” His comment comes as pressure from the US increases on countries continuing energy deals with Russia.

US Increases Pressure Over Russian Oil Deals

The United States has been trying to block Russia’s revenue sources during its war with Ukraine. India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, became one of the biggest buyers of discounted Russian oil after Western countries placed sanctions on Moscow in 2022.

Indian Refineries May Pause Russian Oil Purchases

Some recent media reports suggest that Indian government-owned oil companies have temporarily stopped buying Russian oil. This is due to reduced discounts and shipping issues. However, the Indian government has not officially confirmed this yet.

US Slaps 25% Tariff on Indian Exports, Adds Penalties

The situation became more tense when Trump recently criticized India on social media. He accused the country of buying Russian oil and military equipment while keeping high trade barriers. Soon after, the White House announced a 25% tariff on all Indian exports and penalties linked to India-Russia energy trade.

India Defends Its Relationship with Russia and the US

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded by defending India's long-standing friendship with Russia. He also stated that India’s ties with the US are strong and built on shared values and interests. He expressed confidence that India and the US will continue to grow their partnership despite current challenges.