'Trade policy guided entirely by people's interests': India rejects Trump's Russian oil claim

"India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective," Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

"Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions," the statement added.

"Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing," it said.

The statement follows Trump’s claim that PM Modi has assured him India would stop importing Russian oil.

"He's assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia. He can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon," he said.

The US and Europe have repeatedly accused India of financing the Ukraine War in favour of Russia.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has clarified India’s stance on various occasions, stating that India was merely trying to get the best deal for its consumers.

He has also highlighted West’s double standards, saying that it needs to grow out of its mindset that "Europe's problems are the world's problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems."

Trump, who was desperate to win the Nobel Peace Prize, has said Russian oil is the main reason behind his tariff offensive against India.

After Trump’s claim, Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has been quick to take the opportunity to attack PM Modi.

Earlier, the Opposition slammed the Centre over Trump's remarks. Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, said "PM Modi is frightened of Trump". "1. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil. 2. Keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs. 3. Cancelled the Finance Minister's visit to America. 4. Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh. 5. Doesn't contradict him on Operation Sindoor," Gandhi said in a post on X.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said the Congress needs to make up its mind. "A few days ago, I heard the Congress asking why there is no trade deal. It's a rudderless, leaderless, and directionless party. The Congress really needs to introspect because I suspect today even the opposition doesn't look at Congress as their leader, forget any leadership of the country," Goyal said.