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While announcing a trade deal with India last week, Trump claimed that New Delhi had agreed not to procure crude oil from Russia. The POTUS rolled back an additional 25% tariff on India that he imposed in August for India's procurement of crude oil from Russia
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, on Wednesday said that no one except for US President Donald Trump has declared that India will stop buying Russian oil. He made the comments in the nation's parliament.
Responding to a lawmaker in the State Duma (Lower House), Lavrov said, “You mentioned that Donald Trump announced India's agreement to no longer purchase Russian oil. I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders,” reported news wire PTI.
While announcing a trade deal with India last week, Trump claimed that New Delhi had agreed not to procure crude oil from Russia. The POTUS rolled back an additional 25% tariff on India that he imposed in August for India's procurement of crude oil from Russia.
The Russian foreign minister's comments come two days after Russia accused the US of attempting to prevent India and other countries from buying Russian oil – claiming Washington was using a wide range of "coercive" measures – including tariffs, sanctions and direct prohibitions.
Lavrov noted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, setting the trend for India's chairmanship of BRICS, told the first meeting of sherpas in New Delhi that energy security will be one of the top items of the BRICS summit, expected to be attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Lavrov on Putin's state visit to India
Speaking during the Government Hour of the State Duma, which hears cabinet ministers who report about the performance of their ministries, Lavrov said, President Putin's state visit to India in December 2025 had further enriched relations between Moscow and New Delhi.
"In particular, a substantial package of joint documents was signed during President Putin's state visit to India last December. This visit enriched Russian-Indian relations, creating a special, privileged strategic partnership," Lavrov underscored.
A new meeting between the two countries' leaders is expected to take place on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, which will be held this year under the Indian chairmanship, Lavrov said.
Russia is ready to go as far in relations with India as New Delhi would desire, he said, adding, the sky is the limit, reported PTI.
India January 1, 2026 — formally assumed – the chairmanship of BRICS, a 10-member bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with five new members.
‘Attempting to…’
Earlier, accusing the US of using "unfair methods" to suppress competitors by imposing sanctions on Russian oil companies, Lavrov alleged in an interview with TV BRICS on Monday, “(The US) is attempting to control our trade, investment cooperation, and military-technical ties with major strategic partners, such as India and other BRICS members.”
On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India will maintain multiple sources for crude oil purchases and diversify them to ensure stability in the supply chain, with national interests remaining the "guiding factor" for the procurement.
(with inputs from PTI)
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