The Ministry of External Affairs has exposed the US President’s claim that there was no conversation between PM Modi and Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump’s statement has sparked a new stir in India-US relations. Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him and assured him that India would no longer buy oil from Russia. However, the Indian government has categorically rejected this claim.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically stated that there has been no recent phone call between Prime Minister Modi and Trump. Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Thursday, “To my knowledge, no such conversation or phone call took place between the two leaders yesterday.”
No information about the call: MEA’s response
Donald Trump, while speaking to reporters in Washington on Wednesday, claimed that Prime Minister Modi had called him that day and assured him that India would not buy oil from Russia. He said, “Modi told me today that he will not buy oil from Russia. This is a big step. Now we have to convince China to do the same.”
However, when this statement made headlines, India’s Ministry of External Affairs immediately responded. The MEA dismissed Trump’s claim as false and stated that no such phone call or conversation had taken place. This statement by the ministry casts Trump’s claim as questionable.
What is India’s policy on Russian oil?
India is the world’s second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, after China. According to a report by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India has increased its purchases of cheap crude oil from Russia, which has kept fuel prices in check in the country. India’s stance is clear: “We prioritize our energy security and reserve the right to purchase affordable energy from any country.”
India reiterates independent policy
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed Trump’s statement as false and indicated that India does not operate under any external pressure. India has stated repeatedly that it decides on oil imports from Russia based on national interest and economic necessity, and not on the approval of any third country.
