No Phone Call Between Modi and Trump’: India Responds to Trump’s Claim About PM’s Remarks
Trump’s claim that Modi vowed to stop Russian oil imports triggers a debate on India’s diplomacy, energy strategy, and political balancing act.
In a recent conversation at the Oval Office, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would “cease buying oil from Russia.” The statement, made amid Washington’s tariff hikes on Indian exports, drew immediate attention and controversy.
Speaking on Mojo Story with Barkha Dutt, an expert panel dissected Trump’s remarks and their diplomatic implications. Ambassador Dr. Mohan Kumar, former Indian diplomat, advised that India should “take Trump seriously, but not literally,” describing the Ministry of External Affairs’ (MEA) cautious response as “strategic restraint.” He added that India’s gradual reduction in Russian oil imports is driven by economic realities, not foreign pressure.
Tavleen Singh, veteran author and columnist, echoed the need for restraint, calling Trump’s statements unpredictable and rooted in his domestic politics. Dr. Happymon Jacob, founder of the Centre for Strategic and Diplomatic Research (CSDR), emphasized that India is not violating sanctions and must continue balancing geopolitical needs with market pragmatism. Prasad Duvvuri, entrepreneur and analyst, noted that while India’s oil purchases from Russia have dipped slightly, they remain essential for affordability and energy security.
Barkha Dutt concluded that both Trump and Modi are influenced by domestic political dynamics, and that foreign policy cannot be isolated from home-ground pressures. India, she said, will continue to “keep calm and carry on,” prioritizing its national interest above all.
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