US President Donald Trump said on Monday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to stop buying Russian oil, after a phone call which also saw US tariffs on India more than halved.
Writing on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that he and Modi had discussed many topics in a morning phone call – “including Trade, and ending the War with Russia and Ukraine.”
“He agreed to stop buying Russian Oil, and to buy much more from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. This will help END THE WAR in Ukraine, which is taking place right now, with thousands of people dying each and every week!” Trump said.
He also said that he and Modi had agreed to a trade deal which would see US reciprocal tariffs on India reduced from 25 to 18 percent. If India ends its purchases of Russian gas, it remains to be seen whether Trump will also waive the 25 percent tariff he imposed on New Delhi last August.
India will “likewise move forward to reduce their Tariffs and Non Tariff Barriers against the United States, to ZERO,” Trump added.
India’s refusal to bow to US pressure to stop buying Russian oil has been a key sticking point in months-long trade negotiations between the two countries – meaning that today’s announcement would represent a significant breakthrough.
However, Modi is yet to confirm that he has pledged to end Russian oil purchases – although he struck a genial tone in a post about their phone call on X.
“Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement,” Modi wrote on X.
“President Trump’s leadership is vital for global peace, stability, and prosperity. India fully supports his efforts for peace,” he added. “I look forward to working closely with him to take our partnership to unprecedented heights.”
Modi’s language was similarly positive about India-Russia relations during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit in December 2025, when he met Putin with an embrace on the red carpet at New Delhi airport and thanked him for his “unwavering commitment” to India.
Putin said at the time that that Russia was “ready to continue uninterrupted shipments of fuel for the fast-growing Indian economy.”