'That's a big thing': Trump says India will cut down Russian oil imports to 'almost nothing' by year-end, cites call with PM Modi

US President Donald Trump has once again claimed that India will cut down its Russian oil imports amid pressure from the US administration. Trump on Wednesday (Oct 22) claimed that India will "sharply reduce" its imports of Russian oil by the end of this year, citing a personal assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking to reporters at the White House during a meeting with Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said the reduction would be gradual but significant. This is the first time Trump has provided a time-frame on when India will cut the Russian imports. This comes despite New Delhi stating that it takes decisions to “safeguard the interests of the Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario.”

"India, as you know, told me that they would stop. It is a process; you can't just stop it. But by the end of the year, they will be down to almost nothing. That's a big thing," the President said. "India has been great. Spoke to Prime Minister Modi yesterday, and they have been absolutely great," Trump said, adding that the phase-out would be gradual to ensure stability in global markets.

Earlier, Trump revealed that he spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about trade as he extended Diwali wishes to him. Trump, during Diwali event at the White House, reiterated that PM Modi has reassured him that India would lower its Russian oil imports. Trump also called PM Modi a "great friend". The event was attended by the Indian Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra, FBI chief Kash Patel and intelligence head Tulsi Gabbard, besides the new US envoy to India Sergio Gor and other prominentIndian American business leaders.

"I just spoke to your prime minister today. We had a great conversation. We talked about trade. We talked about a lot of things, but mostly the world of trade. He's very interested in that," he told reporters at the White House. Repeating his controversial claims about India not buying Russian oil and PM Modi agreeing to it, he said, “We just have a very good relationship, and he's not going to buy much oil from Russia. He wants to see that war end as much as with Russia and Ukraine. And as you know, they're not going to be buying too much oil. So, they've got it way back, and they're continuing to cut it way back.” This comes despite the Indian government rejecting his claims by stating that India's energy imports are based on its own demands.