Thu Oct 30 13:29:44 UTC 2025: Summary:

In an interview aboard Air Force One, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed India has committed to significantly reducing its oil imports from Russia. Trump’s statement followed a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and discussions about ending the ongoing war. This reiterates previous claims by the President, which the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed earlier this month. The MEA emphasized India’s priority to protect consumer interests in a volatile energy market through diversified sourcing and confirmed ongoing discussions with the U.S. to deepen energy cooperation.

News Article:

India “Very Good” on Reducing Russian Oil Imports, Claims Trump

New York – October 30, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump asserted that India has made significant progress in reducing its oil imports from Russia, reiterating his claim following a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan. Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump stated, “India’s been very good on that front,” although he noted the oil issue wasn’t a primary topic of their discussions, which focused on resolving an ongoing war.

Trump has repeatedly stated that India agreed to drastically reduce its Russian oil purchases by the end of the year.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed these assertions earlier this month, clarifying that India’s energy policy is driven by the need to secure stable prices and supplies for its consumers amidst market volatility. The MEA emphasized diversification of energy sources and confirmed ongoing discussions with the U.S. regarding increased energy cooperation, but did not explicitly confirm a commitment to drastically cut Russian imports.

“Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective (protecting consumer interests). Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy.” the MEA said in a statement.

While the U.S. President’s statements suggest a commitment from India, the Indian government’s position highlights a more nuanced approach focused on diversifying energy sources to meet domestic needs and exploring opportunities for increased cooperation with the U.S.

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