(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump asserted on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him India would cease purchasing oil from Russia.

During remarks at the White House, Trump emphasized his friendly relationship with Modi but voiced frustration over India’s ongoing trade in Russian oil.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he 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,” Trump stated.

His remarks suggest an effort to pressure major global economies into aligning with US sanctions or diplomatic stances on Russian energy.

Shortly after Trump’s comments, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded by emphasizing that India’s “consistent priority” lies in protecting the interests of its consumers amid an “unstable energy scenario.”

He further clarified that India’s import strategies are “guided entirely by this objective.”

Jaiswal reiterated that securing “stable energy prices and secured supplies” has remained the “twin goals” of India's energy approach.

He also noted that India has been working for several years to broaden its energy imports, particularly from the US. “Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement,” he explained.

He added that cooperation with the current administration has advanced, with active “discussions” still “ongoing.”

The statements highlight both countries' strategic engagements while underlining India’s emphasis on energy security over external pressures.

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