Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded defiantly to mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil. Amid threats of increased U.S. tariffs and diplomatic consequences, Modi emphasized India’s right to prioritize its own economic interests during global uncertainty.
Speaking at a rally in Uttar Pradesh over the weekend, PM Modi encouraged citizens to support domestic manufacturing and consumption. His remarks followed the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25% tariff on Indian exports to the United States and a warning that further action could follow if India doesn’t reduce its reliance on Russian energy.
“The world economy is going through many apprehensions-there is an atmosphere of instability,” Modi said. “Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian.”
Continued Russian Oil Imports
Despite mounting international pressure, India’s government has not issued any formal directive to state-owned or private refiners to stop importing Russian Oil, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg. Officials stated that no final decision has been made regarding a halt in purchases, and oil companies are currently free to buy from suppliers of their choice. Crude procurement continues to be treated as a commercial decision rather than a political one.
The U.S. has expressed increasing frustration with India’s stance, especially as the war in Ukraine drags on. President Trump has made India a focal point of his efforts to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin. The U.S. president recently criticized India for its role in the BRICS economic bloc and for maintaining close ties with Moscow, accusing the alliance of propping up “dead economies.”
“They can take their dead economies down together,” Trump reportedly said, in a sharp departure from previous U.S. efforts to position India as a strategic counterweight to China in the region.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, echoed the administration’s tough rhetoric, accusing India of levying “massive” tariffs on U.S. goods and abusing the U.S. immigration system. Speaking on Sunday, Miller also called out India for buying nearly as much Russian oil as China.
“President Trump wants a tremendous relationship and has always had one with India and Prime Minister Modi,” Miller said. “But we need to get real about financing this war.”
He added that all diplomatic and economic options are being considered to compel nations, including India, to cut off support for Russia and bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
While President Trump recently claimed he “heard” that India would soon stop buying oil from Russia, Indian officials have denied any such decision. According to reports from Bloomberg and the new york time , India has no immediate plans to change course. Refiners have reportedly been asked to develop contingency strategies in case Russian oil becomes unavailable, but no formal restrictions have been communicated.
The Oil Ministry has not responded to Bloomberg’s request for comment, and officials familiar with the matter stressed that any such planning is simply precautionary.
Not just Taiwan. In his urgency to appear “strong” before MAGA, Trump is also savaging ties with India. Steep tariffs (hints of around 25%) could be temporarily painful for Indian exporters, but Trump is ensuring the loss of a strategic partner in a vital geography. https://t.co/SbRyTHKzQU
— Sreemoy Talukdar (@sreemoytalukdar) July 29, 2025
In the meantime, India has become the world’s largest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, ramping up imports from near-zero levels to now account for nearly a third of its total oil purchases. Both the U.S. and European Union have criticized these transactions, arguing they undermine global efforts to curtail Moscow’s war funding.
India’s alignment with Russia stems from decades-long ties that date back to the Cold War, including major defense contracts and diplomatic cooperation. Despite the current geopolitical climate, Indian officials have consistently defended these ties as based on national interest.
“Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal at a press briefing.
He also reaffirmed India’s relationship with the U.S., expressing confidence that diplomatic and trade ties would continue to grow, even amid current tensions.
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India is preparing to host U.S. trade negotiators later this month to discuss a possible bilateral trade agreement. However, Indian officials have signaled that they will not concede access to sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy, citing strong cultural and political concerns.
Modi’s ‘Make in India’ Message Resurfaces (Russian Oil)
As external economic pressure grows, PM Modi is doubling down on his long-standing “Make in India” agenda, which encourages domestic production and self-reliance. The recent U.S. tariff hikes have reignited calls to protect homegrown industries and reduce dependence on foreign goods.(Russian Oil)
“The interests of our farmers, our small industries, and the employment of our youth are of paramount importance,” Modi told the crowd in Uttar Pradesh.
His message aligns with broader nationalist economic themes that have gained popularity in India, especially in light of global supply chain instability and rising geopolitical friction.
While China remains Russia’s most significant economic ally, the U.S. has limited leverage over Beijing due to its dominance in rare-earth minerals and critical components used in U.S. manufacturing. As a result, the Trump administration appears to be placing more immediate diplomatic focus on India, hoping its influence can curb Russian revenues from oil exports.
Recent U.S.-China talks have attempted to cool tensions after both nations imposed steep tariffs on each other earlier this year, but progress has been slow.
India finds itself walking a diplomatic tightrope as it balances long-standing relationships with Russia and a growing strategic partnership with the United States. Despite U.S. pressure, Modi’s government appears determined to defend its energy and economic policies, especially when they are framed as essential to national interest and economic resilience. Whether this standoff will escalate into a broader diplomatic confrontation remains to be seen.
Over India’s Russian Oil Imports
