"PM Modi Knew I Wasn't Happy": Trump Issues Stern Warning Over India’s Russian Oil Imports
January 05, 2026 08:04 PM IST

"PM Modi Knew I Wasn't Happy": Trump Issues Stern Warning Over India’s Russian Oil Imports

Desk Correspondent , Washington D.C - U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to India regarding its continued purchase of Russian oil, revealing that he had personally conveyed his dissatisfaction to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking at a recent press event, Trump asserted that "PM Modi knew I wasn't happy" with India’s energy policy, which has seen New Delhi become one of the largest buyers of Russian crude since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Trump emphasized that by purchasing vast quantities of oil, India is indirectly "funding" the Russian military, a situation he described as unacceptable for a close strategic partner of the United States.

The President hinted at potential economic repercussions, suggesting that the U.S. might implement secondary sanctions or reconsider trade benefits if India does not significantly reduce its dependence on Moscow. Trump’s "America First" approach to foreign policy has increasingly focused on ensuring that allies align with U.S. security interests, particularly regarding major geopolitical rivals. While India has consistently defended its oil purchases as a move to ensure national energy security and control domestic inflation, the Trump administration appears less willing to grant the same level of flexibility as seen in previous years.

Despite the stern rhetoric, the diplomatic relationship between the two leaders remains a complex mix of personal rapport and strategic friction. New Delhi has yet to issue a formal response to these latest comments, but officials have previously maintained that India’s foreign policy is independent and driven by its own sovereign needs. As the U.S. ramps up pressure, the global community is watching closely to see if Prime Minister Modi will pivot toward alternative energy sources or if this disagreement will create a significant rift in the Indo-Pacific alliance.

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