Former U.S. President Donald Trump has once again lauded India for what he described as a “very good” effort in cutting down energy imports from Russia, reaffirming his earlier claim that New Delhi has been responsive to Washington’s concerns over Moscow’s oil trade.
Speaking to reporters during a campaign stop, Trump said that India’s decision to scale back purchases of Russian crude shows “strong cooperation and understanding” between the two nations. While he did not provide specific figures or sources, his remarks echoed his past statements crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for maintaining a balanced position amid global tensions over the Russia-Ukraine war.
“India has been very good on that front,” Trump said. “They understand the situation and have been working closely with us.”
Officials in both Washington and New Delhi have not confirmed Trump’s specific claims, though data shows India remains one of the largest importers of discounted Russian oil since 2022. However, energy analysts note that the volume of Russian crude imports has slightly declined in recent months, largely due to higher shipping costs and changing global oil prices.
India has consistently defended its energy policy as being guided by national interest and energy security, maintaining that it imports oil from various sources to meet domestic demand. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has previously stated that the country’s stance is pragmatic, not political.
Trump’s comments come at a time when U.S.-India ties are strengthening, with both nations collaborating on defense, technology, and supply chain resilience. Analysts believe such statements from Trump could indicate his intent to deepen strategic and economic cooperation with India if he returns to office.
For now, New Delhi has not issued an official response to Trump’s remarks.