President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that India has agreed to halt its purchases of Russian oil, a significant shift in international trade dynamics.
During a press conference held in the Oval Office, Trump relayed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "assured" him of this decision. This development follows a period of resistance from India, which had previously continued its oil imports from Moscow despite facing substantial punitive tariffs imposed by the United States in August.
As reported by the Daily Caller, Trump emphasized the gradual nature of this transition, stating, "[Modi] cant do it immediately, its a little bit of a process, but the process will be over with soon." He further praised Modi, describing him as "a great man" who "loves Trump."
This diplomatic maneuver is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to exert economic pressure on Russia, with the ultimate aim of bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking on Fox News on October 9, highlighted the critical role of India and China in sustaining the conflict in Ukraine through their purchases of Russian oil. Bessent expressed optimism about India's impending shift, stating, "Theyre keeping the war going, but, as I said, its my strong belief that India is going to start rebalancing over the next few weeks and months, and we will see a diminishment of Russian oil in favor of U.S. oil."
The exact timeline for India's transition away from Russian oil remains uncertain. India has been a steadfast customer of Russian oil, importing approximately 1.75 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025. The imposition of tariffs by the Trump administration has sparked significant backlash from India, which views these measures as potentially harmful to bilateral relations.
In a strategic move, Trump is expected to engage directly with Putin, potentially issuing a new ultimatum: engage in peace talks or face the prospect of the U.S. supplying Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. This diplomatic engagement is set to occur just before Trump hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday, as reported by Axios.
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