Washington D.C., – United States President Donald Trump on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “great man” and claimed that India has “largely stopped” buying oil from Russia. His remarks came amid ongoing, high-stakes trade negotiations between the two countries, which are complicated by a US-imposed tariff linked directly to India’s energy imports from Moscow.1
In a brief interaction with reporters at the White House, President Trump expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship and the trade talks, while dropping a significant hint about a potential diplomatic visit.2
The Russian Oil Claim
When asked about the status of trade discussions with India, President Trump commented:
“They are going good; he [PM Modi] stopped buying oil from Russia largely.3 He is a friend of mine, and we speak.”
When asked directly if he planned to travel to India next year (2026), he replied: “It could be, yes.”
This is not the first time President Trump has made this claim. He had previously stated that PM Modi had assured him India would significantly reduce its Russian oil purchases by the end of the year.4
India’s Stance and Trade Tensions
The US President’s repeated assertion about the reduction in Russian oil imports remains a point of diplomatic ambiguity.
- India’s Official Position: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has consistently maintained that its energy policy is guided solely by its national interest, specifically the need to ensure secure and affordable energy supplies for its large consumer base in a volatile global market.5 While India has diversified its energy sourcing, it has not officially confirmed a commitment to halt or substantially curb Russian oil imports based on a bilateral assurance to the US.6
- Tariff Pressure: The topic is central to the current trade friction.7 The United States has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on certain Indian goods.8 This duty includes a 25 per cent base tariff and an additional 25 per cent duty explicitly linked by the US administration to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil.9 President Trump views the tariffs as a tool to leverage diplomatic outcomes and push India towards supporting the global isolation of Russia.10
Building Up to a 2026 Visit
The possibility of a presidential visit in 2026 underscores the strategic importance of the India-US partnership, despite current trade disputes.
- Trade Deal Momentum: Negotiators from both sides are intensely working to finalize a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA), a deal aimed at scaling up bilateral trade volumes from the current $191 billion to an ambitious $500 billion by 2030.11 A presidential visit is often viewed as the final political impetus needed to seal major agreements.
- Praise for PM Modi: President Trump referred to PM Modi as a “great man” and a “friend,” highlighting the strong personal rapport that defines the relationship between the two leaders.12
The speculated 2026 visit—potentially marking a major diplomatic engagement—will likely depend on progress made in both resolving the contentious tariff issues and aligning the two nations’ approaches to energy security and global geopolitics.
