The United States and India have held productive trade talks, and Indian refiners are already cutting Russian oil imports by 50%, a White House official told Reuters on Thursday.
However, Indian sources said the cut was not visible yet, though it could be reflected in import numbers for December or January. Refiners had already placed orders for November loading that included some cargoes for December arrival as well, the sources said.
The Indian government has not yet informed refiners of a request to cut Russian imports, they added.
India's oil ministry and all of the Indian refiners that buy Russian oil did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.
US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to stop purchasing oil from Russia, marking a major development in Washington’s global push to curb Moscow’s energy income amid the ongoing Ukraine war.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump said he would next turn his focus toward persuading China to halt similar purchases, signaling a new phase in his administration’s strategy to economically isolate the Kremlin.
“So I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”
India and China: Russia’s top oil customers
India and China remain the two biggest buyers of Russian seaborne crude exports, capitalizing on the discounted prices Moscow has offered since European buyers began avoiding its oil following sanctions from the US and the European Union over the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
India alone imported about 1.62 million barrels per day from Russia in September — nearly one-third of its total crude needs — making Moscow its top oil supplier.
Until now, Indian officials had defended the purchases as essential to national energy security, resisting US pressure and emphasizing affordability for a developing economy.
Also Read: Trump says Modi pledged India will stop Russian oil imports
However, analysts caution that such a shift will take time. Trump himself acknowledged that India could not stop shipments “immediately,” describing the process as “a little bit of a process, but that process will be over soon.”
US tariffs and diplomatic push
Trump has increasingly targeted India over its Russian oil imports, imposing tariffs totaling 50% on Indian exports to the United States this year — 25% initially after trade talks failed, and another 25% explicitly linked to its continued crude purchases from Moscow.
India reportedly viewed the move as unfair since other major Russian oil buyers like China and Turkey were not subjected to similar penalties.
The announcement of Modi’s pledge came just days after Trump’s nominee for US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, met with Modi in New Delhi to discuss defense, trade, and technology cooperation. Gor, a close Trump ally, is seen as central to advancing the administration’s India strategy.
