The Trump admin has repeatedly claimed that India agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil in exchange for tariff relief and progress on a trade deal, a position reiterated by Marco Rubio in Munich. He said, “Got India’s commitment to stop buying Russian oil.”
The Trump administration has repeatedly stated that India agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil in exchange for tariff relief and a trade deal. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated the claim at the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Saturday.
“In our conversations with India, we’ve gotten their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil,” Rubio said.
India reaffirms strategic autonomy
On the same stage, EAM S Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to strategic autonomy, countering criticism from the opposition that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was yielding to US pressure over Russian oil imports.
Trade deal framework under discussion
India and the US are working out the details of a trade deal after President Donald Trump announced a framework on February 2, later confirmed by Modi. The Trump administration has already lifted the 25% tariff imposed as a penalty for India’s Russian oil purchases amid the Ukraine war. The Executive Order states that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, though New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
Under the framework, the remaining 25 per cent reciprocal tariff will drop to 18 per cent once a formal Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) is finalised. Negotiations on finer details of the deal are ongoing.
‘Additional’ Russian oil caveat
At Munich, Rubio used the word “additional” in his statement, which could mean that existing Russian oil orders already in process may continue. Reports from Reuters and other sources indicate that Indian firms, including state-owned companies, are already avoiding Russian oil deliveries scheduled for April.
India sticks to market-driven energy policy
During a session with German minister Johann Wadephul, Jaishankar did not confirm Rubio’s claim. He emphasised that India’s energy decisions are guided by market forces, as consistently communicated by his ministry and the government. “Where energy issues are concerned, this is today a complex market. Oil companies in India, as in Europe and elsewhere, look at availability, cost, and risks, and take decisions that serve their best interests,” he said.
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