US President Donald Trump warned that India would continue paying high tariffs until New Delhi halts Russian oil imports.
Published: October 20, 2025 9:30 PM IST
Trump tariffs: US President Donald Trump on Sunday reiterated his claim of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreeing to halt Russian oil imports, and warned that India would keep paying “a lot of tariffs” until it halts energy imports from Moscow.
What did Trump say about India’s denial?
Talking to reporters aboard the Air Force One, Trump was asked New Delhi denying his claim of a recent phone call with PM Modi, he replied, “Well then, they’re going to just keep paying a lot of tariffs if they said that, but I don’t believe they said that. No, I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India and he said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing.”
The US President warned that India will continue to pay high tariffs if they do not stop oil imports from Russia. “But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don’t want to do that.”
Why India rejected Trump’s claim?
Earlier, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denied Donald Trump’s claim about a purported phone call with Narendra Modi during which the Prime Minister allegedly agreed to US’ demand of stopping oil purchases from Russia.
Addressing the weekly press briefing on Thursday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said no such phone call took place between the two leaders on Wednesday. “On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders,” he said.
According to Jaiswal, Modi spoke to Trump on October 9 and congratulated him on the success of the Gaza peace plan.
“Well, the telephone call happened between the Prime Minister and President Trump. It was a call where he also congratulated President Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan, and they also reviewed the progress in trade negotiations, and they also agreed to stay in touch. So this was the readout that was given post the telephone call. So, that is where it is,” the MEA spokesperson said.
What MEA said on India’s energy imports?
On India’s energy imports, Jaiswal said New Delhi’s stance on the matter remains unchanged. “I would again request all of you to look at the statement carefully. What we have had to say we have already said, and I would urge that you know you have a look at the statement, and you know all the issues, from as far as we are concerned, it is there for you to see how we approached the issue,” he said.
On Wednesday, Donald Trump had claimed PM Narendra Modi, during a phone call with him, had assured to gradually halt Russian oil purchases. India’s immediately refuted Trump’s claims, and reiterated that its energy sourcing is guided by its national interests and the need to protect Indian consumers.
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