India Reportedly Scaling Back Russian Oil Imports After Trump-Modi Meeting

India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil, US President Donald Trump announced, describing the move as a major advance in efforts to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine, Politico reported on October 15.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and [Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi] assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump told reporters during an Oval Office briefing. “That’s a big step.”

According to Politico, the Indian embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. However, if confirmed, the move could mark a breakthrough in easing US-India tensions that escalated earlier this year when Washington imposed 50 percent tariffs on India due to its continued imports of Russian crude.

Trump suggested the change won’t be immediate but is already underway. “[Modi] can’t do it immediately, it’s a little bit of a process, but the process will be over with soon,” he added during the press conference.

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Three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on October 16 that Indian refiners are beginning to scale back Russian oil imports, anticipating a phased reduction.

India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stopped short of confirming the halt but reiterated its key priorities: “It has been 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 ministry said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Despite Trump’s announcement, Indian refinery officials said they had not received formal instructions to stop Russian oil purchases, according to Reuters. They warned that an abrupt halt could disrupt global markets.

“A sudden switch to other crudes would drive up global oil prices and threaten to stoke inflation,” one source noted.

Earlier, an analysis showed that India supplied nearly 49.6% of the aviation fuel additives imported by Russia in 2024—amounting to about 2,456.36 metric tons valued at approximately $13 million.

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