In a significant diplomatic development, former US President Donald Trump has asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to halt India’s purchases of Russian oil. This announcement comes as the US intensifies efforts to economically isolate Russia and curtail its funding for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump revealed that Modi assured him India would cease its oil imports from Russia “within a short period of time,” describing the move as “a big stop.” However, the Indian embassy in Washington DC has refrained from commenting on the matter. The US has been leveraging India’s reliance on Russian oil in its broader trade strategy, but New Delhi has consistently resisted, leading to diplomatic tensions. Russia’s oil and gas exports, primarily to China, India, and Turkey, are crucial to its economy. Trump also expressed his intention to persuade China to follow suit, emphasizing a global effort to disrupt Moscow’s energy revenue streams. He acknowledged that India’s transition away from Russian oil would be gradual but assured that the process would conclude swiftly. The Trump administration has imposed steep tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% penalty for transactions with Russia, as part of its strategy to pressure New Delhi. Despite these measures, Modi has maintained India’s neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, citing the nation’s economic reliance on discounted Russian crude. The ongoing dispute has strained US-India relations, though Trump recently praised Modi as a “great man,” and both leaders have noted progress in trade negotiations.