During a weekly briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson clarified that there was no conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump the previous day. This statement directly addresses Trump’s recent comments regarding India’s oil imports from Russia, where he claimed Modi assured him a halt to these purchases. The MEA had previously stated that India’s energy policy prioritizes national interests and protecting consumers amid fluctuating markets. The country remains a significant importer of oil and gas, focusing on stable prices and secure supplies through diversified sourcing.
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Recent Ukrainian drone attacks have significantly impacted Russia’s oil refining capabilities, leading to a severe fuel shortage. As of late September, nearly 40% of Russia’s primary refining capacity was offline, with gasoline output dropping significantly and causing a roughly 20% shortfall in domestic demand. These outages are unprecedented, with drone strikes directly causing about 70% of the shutdowns, hitting over two dozen major refineries. The crisis has prompted the Kremlin to ban gasoline exports and drop import duties, while the public faces rationing and rising prices.
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US Trade Advisor Peter Navarro has criticized India’s import of Russian oil, referring to the Ukraine conflict as “Modi’s war.” These comments came as the US implemented tariffs of up to 50% on Indian goods, with additional penalties for purchasing weapons and oil from Russia. India, now heavily reliant on Russian oil, has defended its actions by insisting on seeking the “best deal” while also criticizing the lack of similar measures against China and the EU. Despite the tension, there’s hope for a resolution as US officials express confidence in the relationship, while India focuses on mitigating the economic impact.
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John Q. Hosedrinker