Trump: India to Stop Russian Oil Purchases; India Doesn't Confirm
President Donald Trump, in response to a question about whether he would engage in trade talks with India, said that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi "assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big stop. Now I got to get China to do the same thing."
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He had just finished saying that while Modi is a great man, "We were not happy with him buying oil from Russia, because it continues this ridiculous war, where they [Russians] have lost a million and a half people."
The U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods -- on top of most-favored nation rates and 25% reciprocal tariffs -- due to India's purchases of Russian oil. India is the only country that has been punished in this way (see 2508060018).
Trump made this remark Oct. 15 in the Oval Office; the Indian government didn't confirm that ending purchases of oil from Russia is its intention.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Randhir Jaiswal first issued a statement that said, "India is a significant importer of oil and gas. 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." He said they want to ensure stable energy prices. "Where the U.S. is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing."
Later on Oct. 16, Jaiswal told reporters, "On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders."