Ashhar Alam | New Delhi

As India and the United States wrap up negotiations on a long-anticipated trade agreement, India’s continued purchase of Russian crude has emerged as a key point of discussion. The issue had earlier triggered additional tariffs from the Donald Trump administration, placing India’s energy ties with Russia under sharper scrutiny.

When US President Donald Trump announced the conclusion of the trade deal, he claimed that India had agreed to halt imports of Russian oil as part of the broader understanding. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said he had spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about trade and efforts to end the Russia–Ukraine conflict, asserting that India would stop buying Russian oil and instead increase purchases from the United States and potentially Venezuela.

However, New Delhi has so far stopped short of confirming any such commitment. The Indian government has not issued an official statement clarifying whether Russian oil imports will be completely halted, and a joint statement outlining the precise terms of the deal is still awaited.

Weighing in on the matter, foreign policy expert Lisa Curtis, Director of the Centre for New American Security, suggested that Washington and New Delhi may not be fully aligned in their interpretation of the understanding on Russian oil. Speaking to ANI, Curtis noted that while India has been reducing its intake of Russian crude, Prime Minister Modi did not publicly echo Trump’s claim of a complete stop.

Curtis pointed out that India is keen to avoid the perception of yielding to US pressure on its relationship with Russia, which it views as a long-standing strategic partner. At the same time, she acknowledged that New Delhi recognises the importance President Trump places on India gradually cutting back and eventually ending Russian oil imports.

Welcoming the trade deal, Curtis said its conclusion would significantly strengthen ties between the world’s two largest democracies. She added that several factors may have contributed to the breakthrough, including diplomatic engagements in recent weeks, a noticeable decline in India’s Russian oil imports in December, and India’s recent free trade agreement with the European Union, a move that may have encouraged Washington to accelerate its own deal with New Delhi.

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Earlier, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said details of the agreement would be made public once negotiations are fully concluded and technical processes completed. He said a joint statement from both countries would be issued after the final understanding is formally signed.

Expressing confidence in the outcome, Goyal said the agreement would safeguard India’s interests, create new opportunities, and be a source of pride for the country.