Trump Says India Will Stop Buying Oil From Russia Amid Tariff Tensions

Washington, D.C. – October 15, 2025 

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that India has agreed to halt oil imports from Russia, a move he claims will significantly reduce funding for Moscow’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia,” Trump said during a press conference in the Oval Office, referencing a conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier the same day.

Calling it “a big stop,” Trump emphasized that India’s pledge is a step toward isolating Russia economically. He added, “Now [I’ve] got to get China to do the same thing.”

India, along with China, has come under increasing U.S. scrutiny for continuing to buy discounted Russian crude oil, with critics saying such purchases help sustain Russia’s military operations.

In an earlier move on August 6, Trump signed an executive order raising tariffs on Indian goods to 50 percent, citing India's energy ties with Russia as justification for the sharp increase. He accused New Delhi of reselling Russian oil on global markets at a profit, a charge echoed in the language of the executive order:

“India’s subsequent reselling of this oil on the open market, often at significant profit, further enables the Russian Federation’s economy to fund its aggression.”

According to the U.N. Comtrade database, India’s oil imports from Russia have surged since the start of the war in Ukraine rising from $1 billion pre-2022 to $52.7 billion in 2024. India is now the second-largest buyer of Russian crude, behind China.

In recent years, Russia and India have deepened economic and military ties, signing multiple agreements  including major deals in trade, defense, and climate cooperation in December 2021 and July 2024.

The U.S. trade deficit with India also widened in 2024 to $46 billion, up 5.9% from 2023, according to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office.

As pressure mounts, geopolitical watchers are closely monitoring whether India will follow through on the reported commitment and whether China will face similar pressure next.