In a surprising turn of events, India has refuted claims made by former US President Donald Trump regarding a supposed agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to cease Russian oil imports. Trump asserted on Wednesday that Modi had ‘assured’ him of halting purchases of Russian oil, a move aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Russia to end the Ukraine conflict. However, India’s foreign ministry stated on Thursday that it was ‘not aware’ of any such conversation between the two leaders. This contradiction has cast doubt on the validity of Trump’s statement and raised questions about the status of ongoing discussions between the US and India on the matter. India has emerged as a significant buyer of Russian oil since the war began, providing Moscow with a crucial revenue stream despite Western sanctions. The Trump administration has been vocal in urging India to reduce its reliance on Russian energy, as part of broader efforts to isolate Russia economically. India, however, has defended its energy policies, emphasizing the need to protect its consumers in a volatile global energy market. The situation has further strained US-India relations, with the UK recently targeting an Indian oil refinery in its latest sanctions for facilitating Russian oil exports. The conflicting narratives highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges of aligning global energy policies amidst geopolitical tensions.