India Agrees to Cut Russian Oil Purchases Under U.S. Pressure Amid Ukraine War

Multiple outlets report mounting U.S. pressure on India over its purchases of discounted Russian crude since 2022.

“The US and India are in trade talks where Russian oil is a major point of contention”

Minute Mirror

Washington is tying tariffs and trade concessions to India's energy decisions.

Minute Mirror

India publicly stresses energy security and denies pledging a halt to these purchases.

BBC describes India as a major buyer of discounted Russian oil aiming to ensure energy security.

The BBC also notes that the U.S. imposed steep tariffs and is now softening them amid talks.

Reports suggest India may agree to gradually reduce Russian imports.

Former President Trump claims that Modi assured him India would cut or stop buying Russian oil.

Indian and regional outlets record these assertions but highlight India’s refusal to confirm any such promise.

ANI says Modi did not confirm any commitment to reduce purchases.

The Indian Express adds that sources suggested no immediate reduction, even as Trump insisted Modi would limit purchases.

News18 relays Trump’s claim that Modi agreed to significantly reduce Russian oil buying, linking it to tariff threats.

Several outlets link potential energy cuts to a broader trade agreement.

Western Alternative and ‘Other’ sources report specific tariff reductions if India decreases Russian crude imports.

24 News HD

TradingView states that Washington and New Delhi are close to a deal to lower U.S. tariffs on Indian exports from 50% to 15–16%.

This tariff reduction would be in exchange for a gradual reduction in Russian oil imports and increased U.S. access to non-GMO corn and soymeal.

English Bombay Samachar and Latest news from Azerbaijan report similar details and timelines, aiming for an announcement around an upcoming summit.

Scroll.in notes that the 50% tariffs remain in place but there is renewed momentum in the talks.

Arab News takes a more cautious approach, simply stating that negotiations continue despite existing tensions.

Evidence about actual import flows is mixed and sometimes conflicting across outlets.

“The provided text is incomplete and does not contain enough information to summarize a news article”

Arab News PK

India Today’s tracking shows Russian crude rose to 40% of India’s oil in the first nine months of 2025 and even increased in early October.

Refiners said they received no instruction to cut imports, contradicting Trump’s narrative.

SUCH TV reports a White House official said India has halved Russian imports.

However, the same piece cites Indian sources expecting imports to rise by about 20% this month due to Russia’s export rebound after refinery attacks.

RBC-Ukraine notes Reliance is buying more Middle Eastern oil, hinting at some diversification.

BBC says Delhi denies that its purchases fund the war and suggests any reduction would be gradual within a trade deal.

The political fallout inside India features sharp opposition attacks and disputes over what, if anything, Modi promised.

Boldnewsonline reports the Ministry of External Affairs denied any commitment after Trump’s repeated claims that Modi would “stop buying Russian oil,” prompting demands for transparency.

Times of India

Hindustan Times and ETV Bharat detail Congress accusations that Modi is silent while Trump publicizes alleged assurances, with New Delhi insisting it diversifies energy to protect consumers.

WION and Scroll.in add that India has not confirmed Trump’s claims.

Some West Asian coverage like Arab News PK and SUCH TV weave in Trump’s contested boasts about brokering India-Pakistan peace alongside statements that India assured limits on Russian oil, amplifying regional-security overtones around the energy issue.

Market signals and trade baselines complicate the picture further.

“US President Donald Trump stated that he had advised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to avoid war with Pakistan, crediting his diplomatic and trade pressure efforts with preventing several conflicts, including between the two nuclear-armed neighbors”

SUCH TV

RBC-Ukraine reports that Reliance is increasing its purchases of Middle Eastern crude.

SUCH TV

TradingView indicates that state refiners and Reliance are showing a shift away from Russian crude.

The Indian Express cautions that sources suggest no immediate reduction in Russian crude imports.

SUCH TV notes that Indian sources expect a near-term rebound in Russian crude inflows.

Meanwhile, CNBC records a robust bilateral trade backdrop of $132.2 billion in FY25.

The Free Press Journal highlights ongoing U.S. efforts to encourage India to diversify away from Russian energy.