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The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to pressure Russia over the war in Ukraine, with President Donald Trump claiming that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to halt the country's purchases of Russian oil.
Trump told reporters that he had received assurances from Modi that the cessation would occur "within a short period of time," calling it "a big stop." If confirmed, the move would represent a significant blow to Russia, which relies heavily on oil and gas exports to countries like China, India, and Turkey.
The US president has sought to leverage India's purchases of Russian oil in his trade war, but Delhi has so far resisted.
Reacting to the Trump remarks, an Indian government spokesman said discussions were "ongoing" with the US administration which had "shown interest in deepening energy co-operation with India".
Our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective," the spokesman said.
"Now I've got to get China to do the same thing," Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday, as part of his administration's broader push to cut off Moscow's energy funding.
The Trump administration is also pushing Japan to stop importing oil and gas from Russia, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he communicated this "expectation" to visiting Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato on Wednesday. India cannot "immediately" halt oil shipments, Trump said, adding that the shift will be "a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon".
The Trump administration has imposed 50% tariffs on goods from India, levies that Trump has characterised as punishment against Delhi for buying Russian oil and weapons. The tariffs – which took effect in August and are among the highest in the world – include a 25% penalty for transactions with Russia that are a key source of funds for its war in Ukraine.
Modi has for months stood his ground, arguing that India is neutral in the Russia-Ukraine war despite his country's ties with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Indian officials have called the Trump administration's accusations that Delhi profits from Russia's war in Ukraine a double standard, citing ongoing trade with Russia in the US and Europe.
India relies on Russian crude oil, which Delhi has continued to buy at a discount, to support its economy - the fifth largest in the world.
The dispute over Russian oil has strained the relationship between Trump and Modi, although the US president on Wednesday praised the Indian leader as a "great man".
