Sergei Lavrov (AP image)
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday said that only US President Donald Trump has claimed that India will stop buying Russian oil, adding that Moscow has not heard any such confirmation from New Delhi.Responding to a lawmaker in the State Duma, Lavrov said, “You mentioned that Donald Trump announced India’s agreement to no longer purchase Russian oil. I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders.”
He further stated, “Except for US President Donald Trump, nobody else has declared that India will stop buying Russian oil.”His remarks come days after Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt purchases of Russian crude as part of a broader India–US trade understanding.The US president recently signed an executive order removing an additional 25 per cent tariff imposed on Indian goods over New Delhi’s Russian oil imports, while indicating that the penalty could be restored if purchases continue.Earlier, Lavrov had accused Washington of using “coercive” measures such as sanctions, tariffs and direct prohibitions to prevent India and other countries from buying Russian energy.In an interview with TV BRICS, he said, “The US is attempting to control our trade, investment cooperation and military-technical ties with major strategic partners, such as India and other BRICS members.”He also accused Washington of “trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources and forcing them to buy US LNG at exorbitant prices.”Indian officials have maintained that energy security remains the top priority. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India will continue to diversify crude sources to ensure stable and affordable supplies, guided by national interest. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also reiterated that safeguarding the energy needs of 1.4 billion Indians is paramount.Lavrov highlighted the broader strategic ties between the two countries, referring to President Vladimir Putin’s December 2025 state visit to India.“In particular, a substantial package of joint documents was signed during President Putin’s state visit to India last December. This visit enriched Russian-Indian relations, creating a special, privileged strategic partnership,” he said.India, which assumed the BRICS chairmanship on January 1, is expected to host a summit later this year where energy security will be a key issue.While Russian oil imports have moderated from their peak levels, New Delhi has not officially announced any decision to halt purchases.
