Indian officials have denied claims made by US President Donald Trump that India has stopped buying crude oil from Russia. According to a report, they said there is no such plan and that oil imports from Russia will continue. This clarification comes just days before Washington is expected to announce new sanctions on countries still doing energy business with Russia during the Ukraine war.

Trump Claims India Is Cutting Oil Ties with Russia

While speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had “heard” that India had decided to stop buying Russian oil. He called it a “good step,” adding, “Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard. I don’t know if that’s right or not.” This remark came shortly after Trump criticised New Delhi’s close trade and defense relations with Moscow.

Indian Officials Reject Claim, Say No Change in Policy

However, Indian officials quickly responded. They told ANI and Reuters that Trump’s claim is false. “There has been no change in policy,” one official said, adding that “oil companies make sourcing decisions based on price, quality, logistics, and market conditions. No directive has been issued to stop Russian imports.”

Russia Still a Major Oil Supplier for India

India, the third-largest oil importer in the world, has increased its purchase of Russian crude since Western sanctions made it available at discounted rates. From January to June this year, India imported about 1.75 million barrels of oil per day from Russia. This accounted for nearly 35% of its total crude imports.

One official defended this strategy, saying India’s Russian oil purchases have helped the global market. “Had India not absorbed discounted Russian crude—alongside OPEC+ production cuts—prices could have soared past the 2022 high of $137 a barrel,” the official explained.

Indian Imports Follow Global Price Cap Rules

Officials also noted that Russian crude is not directly sanctioned like Iranian or Venezuelan oil. Instead, it is covered under a price cap set by the G7 and the European Union. This rule aims to reduce Moscow’s income without causing a global supply shock. Indian oil companies, they said, have been following this price cap. “Our imports follow international norms,” officials insisted.

Trump Imposes New Tariffs and Issues Deadline for Russia

Trump’s comment comes as he announced a new executive order. The order imposes a 25% tariff on Indian goods and warns of penalties for countries that continue buying oil or weapons from Russia. He has given Russian President Vladimir Putin until August 8 to stop the war or face harsher actions.

Long-Term Contracts Still Active, Say Indian Officials

Despite global pressure, Indian authorities have confirmed that no orders have been given to stop Russian oil purchases. Two senior officials told The New York Times that state-run refiners still operate under long-term contracts. One of them said, “These are long-term oil contracts. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.”

Some reports mentioned that companies like Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum had paused new orders from Russia after discounts shrank in July. However, officials clarified that this decision was based on business logic, not political pressure.

India’s Energy Policy Remains Market-Driven

At a recent press conference, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that India’s oil policy is based on practical needs. “We take decisions based on price, availability, and the global situation,” he said.

Trump Criticises India’s Trade and Defense Links with Russia

Although Trump has often called India a “friend,” he also criticised its trade practices and military ties with Moscow. “India has the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers,” he stated. He pointed out that India remains one of Russia’s top buyers of arms and energy.

India Likely to Maintain Oil Ties With Russia

Despite the tension, Indian officials say they will stick to their current policy. They argue that importing oil from Russia serves both India’s national interests and the stability of the global market. Therefore, they are not likely to change course—at least for now.