WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia — a decision Trump hailed as a “big stop” in global efforts to isolate Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
India and China are the largest buyers of Russian seaborne crude, benefiting from discounted prices since Western sanctions took effect. Trump recently imposed tariffs on Indian exports to the US to pressure New Delhi to curb its oil imports from Russia.
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“So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump told reporters. “That’s a big stop. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”
The Indian Embassy in Washington did not immediately confirm whether such a commitment was made.
An end to Indian oil purchases could significantly reshape global energy markets and intensify Washington’s efforts to cut off Moscow’s revenues.
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During the same press briefing, Trump claimed to have “stopped eight wars” and said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited him with saving millions of lives by preventing a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan earlier this year.
Shehbaz, speaking at a peace conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, called Trump a “genuine man of peace” and said Pakistan had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize for his “extraordinary role” in defusing regional and global tensions, including the Gaza war.
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“Had it not been for this gentleman [Trump], a full-scale war between two nuclear powers could have erupted,” Shehbaz said, praising Trump’s “visionary leadership.”
The April conflict between India and Pakistan — their worst in decades — saw both sides exchange missiles and drones before the US brokered a ceasefire. Islamabad denied involvement in the attack that triggered the fighting, calling for an independent probe.