Image Source hindustantimes
New Delhi: India on Thursday said it had “no information” about any conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding India’s purchase of Russian oil — a claim that has stirred diplomatic curiosity following Trump’s recent remarks.
During a campaign event earlier this week, Trump had reportedly claimed that he spoke with “India’s Prime Minister” about New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian crude despite Western sanctions. However, when asked about the comments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that no such conversation had taken place “to our knowledge.”
“We have no information about any recent communication between Prime Minister Modi and former President Trump,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters during the ministry’s weekly briefing.
India has maintained that its oil purchases from Russia are guided by national interest and aimed at ensuring energy security. Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, New Delhi has emerged as one of Moscow’s largest crude buyers, often refining Russian oil for export.
The issue has frequently drawn criticism from Western nations, though India has consistently defended its position as being “economically pragmatic and not politically aligned.”
Trump’s claim came amid renewed global focus on energy trade and shifting diplomatic equations as he seeks re-election in the United States. While Trump did not specify when the alleged conversation occurred, his remarks prompted questions about whether any informal exchange might have taken place through unofficial channels.
For now, Indian officials appear to be distancing themselves from the controversy, emphasizing that there has been “no recent contact” between the two leaders.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Reuters, etc.) transparently.]
