Trump's oil claim roils India

No telecon between the two leaders: MEA

- ARUNIMA BHARADWAJ

HOURS AFTER US President Donald Trump said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to halt India’s imports of Russian oil in an attempt to reach a final resolution in the ongoing trade talks between the two nations, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) clarified that there has been no telephone conversation between the two leaders as claimed.

The MEA, however, said on Thursday that discussions are on to deepen bilateral energy ties with the US.

Russia has emerged as the top supplier of crude oil to India after its invasion of Ukraine on the back of the heavy discounts it offered on its Urals.

Briefing reporters at the White House, Trump had appreciated that India could not stop the purchases of Russian oil “immediately”, adding that “it’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon”.

“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and he (Modi) assured me today (Wednesday) that they will not be buying oil from Russia,” he said.

“That’s a big step. Now, I’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he added.