India and the United States are engaged in discussions aimed at deepening their energy cooperation, a move highlighted by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as U.S. President Donald Trump recently asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him India would cease purchasing Russian oil.

In response to Trump’s claim, the Indian MEA emphasized that its energy import policy is driven by the central goal of protecting the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile global energy market, and that decisions are made on the basis of supply, affordability, and national interests.

The MEA also confirmed active discussions with the current U.S. administration on expanding cooperation in the energy sector.  Trump, during a White House press interaction, had said he was not happy with India’s oil purchases from Russia, and claimed Modi had committed to stopping them. However, he clarified that the change would not happen immediately, but over a “short period of time.”