India reacts to Trump's allegation that PM Modi promised him energy from Russia.

Donald Trump had earlier said that PM Modi had promised him that India would no longer purchase Russian energy.

New Delhi firmly reaffirmed its position Thursday in response to US President Donald Trump's assertion that India will cease purchasing Russian oil, stating that the government's top priority is protecting Indian consumers' interests in a volatile energy environment and that the nation's energy imports "are guided entirely by this objective."

Speaking to reporters at the White House earlier Wednesday, Trump asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had "assured" him that India will cease buying Russian oil.

"I didn't like that India was purchasing oil. Additionally, Modi gave me his word today that they will not be purchasing oil from Russia. He remarked, "That's a big stop."

"No oil will be present. Trump said, "He's not buying oil," according to Reuters, adding that the change will occur "within a short period of time" rather than right away.

The president of the United States promised to "do the same thing" with China.

MEA's reaction
"Oil and gas are major imports for India. Protecting the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy environment has always been our top priority. This goal serves as the sole guiding principle for our import policies," said Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement.

According to Jaiswal, the two main objectives of India's energy policy are to look at a wider base and diversify in accordance with market conditions.

"Our energy policy has aimed to guarantee supplies and maintain steady energy costs. This involves diversifying as needed to adapt to market conditions and broadening our energy sourcing, the statement continued.

US-India energy cooperation
MEA spokeswoman Randhir Jaiswal stated that India has been aiming to increase its energy purchase for years and has made consistent progress in the past ten years in this regard, referring to the US.

He also mentioned that discussions with Washington are in progress regarding energy cooperation.

"As far as the United States is concerned, we have been working for many years to increase our energy procurement," the MEA spokeswoman added. Over the past ten years, this has advanced steadily. The present administration has expressed interest in strengthening its partnership with India in the energy sector. Talks are still going on.

The US ambassador-designate to India, Sergio Gor, hinted last month that Washington wants New Delhi to allow US crude and petroleum products to enter its markets.

Gor stated that the two nations were on their way to settling certain disagreements.

Highlighting India's middle class, Gor stated, "Possibilities are endless...we fully intend in these trade talks that are ongoing, to open (Indian) markets to our crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG." "We have countless possibilities to expand into those markets and we fully intend to do that," Gor said.

Trump on Russian oil and India
Citing New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil, the US President raised the 25% to 50% tariffs on Indian imports. His disagreement with Russia's oil and energy purchases by India was framed by his opinions on the Ukrainian war.

Not just Trump, but also a number of his advisors, such as Howard Lutnick and Peter Navarro, have frequently commented on India's imports of Russian oil.

India has previously reaffirmed its position on its energy sourcing, as seen by its reaction on Thursday. India is "guided by what is on offer in markets and prevailing global situation" in this regard, according to the MEA's previous statements.

According to India, "national security imperatives and strategic assessments" dictate sourcing for defense requirements.