The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it has not received any indication from New Delhi about halting Russian oil purchases, despite US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new trade deal with India.
Trump revealed the agreement on Monday, stating that Washington would reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent in exchange for India stopping Russian oil imports and easing trade restrictions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed the remarks, noting that Moscow is reviewing Trump’s statements carefully. When asked directly whether India had decided to end Russian oil purchases, Peskov replied, “So far, we have not heard any statements from Delhi on this issue.”
Peskov emphasized that Russia respects the relationship between the United States and India but highlighted the importance of Moscow’s own ties with New Delhi. “We attach no less importance to the development of an advanced strategic partnership between Russia and India. This is the most important thing for us, and we intend to further develop our bilateral relations with Delhi,” he said.
India emerged as the largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude after the war in Ukraine began in 2022. That move drew criticism from Western nations, which imposed sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to reduce Moscow’s revenues and limit its ability to finance the conflict.
