Overview
- Speaking at the White House on November 6, President Trump asserted that India had largely stopped buying Russian oil but offered no supporting data.
- Indian and Russian officials countered that energy cooperation continues, with India’s state-run Indian Oil Corporation saying it does not plan to halt purchases.
- A Russian envoy said only some Indian companies reported pausing imports after recent U.S. sanctions, indicating broader buying has not ceased.
- India became a major buyer of discounted Russian crude after 2022, with such supplies accounting for roughly one-third of its foreign oil imports.
- Trump also said Russian oil exports have declined due to sanctions, a claim he did not substantiate, as U.S. tariff actions against India over Russian oil purchases have risen to as high as 50%.