India denies oil talks with Trump, who recalls “massive” tariffs

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised him to stop buying Russian oil. At the same time, he warned that New Delhi would continue to face “massive” tariffs if this did not happen. India later denied that such a conversation had taken place between the two leaders.

Russian oil was one of the main points of contention for Trump in the protracted trade negotiations with India. Half of his 50 percent tariffs on Indian goods are in response to these purchases. The US government said the oil revenues were financing Russia's war in Ukraine.

India became the largest buyer of Russian oil after the West imposed sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
According to a White House official, India has allegedly reduced its imports of Russian oil by half. However, local sources dispute that such a decline has occurred so far. Orders for deliveries in November and December have already been placed.

Current estimates by the company Kpler show that Indian oil imports from Russia are expected to increase by 20 percent to 1.9 million barrels per day in October.

(reuters, max)