(MENAFN- Live Mint) India on Thursday responded to US President Donald Trump's claims of PM Modi's assurance to stop Russian oil purchases. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the current US administration has shown interest in strengthening the energy cooperation with India, adding that the discussions are ongoing.

“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. Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

He added, "Where the US 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."

What did Trump say on India's Russian oil purchases?

While speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump expressed that the US was“unhappy” about India purchasing Russian crude oil, claiming that these purchases were aiding President Vladimir Putin's war efforts.

The US president stated that while India might not be able to stop the purchases right away, the process of reducing them has begun.

“He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship... we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they've lost a million and a half people,” Trump said, according to PTI.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big step. Now we've got to get China to do the same thing,” he added.

(This is a developing story. More to come)

MENAFN16102025007365015876ID1110203881