The Kremlin on Tuesday reacted to US President Donald Trump’s claims that India would stop buying Russian oil after the trade deal with Washington was announced on Monday, saying that it had heard nothing of the sort from New Delhi as of yet.
Trump on Monday announced a new trade deal with India featuring lower reciprocal tariffs and expanded market access, while claiming that New Delhi would halt purchases of Russian oil and sharply increase imports of American goods.
India has confirmed the tariff-reduction portion of the agreement, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming the move following a phone call between the two leaders. But there has been no word on stopping oil purchases from Moscow.
“So far, we haven’t heard any statements from New Delhi on this matter,” AFP quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as telling reporters.
A White House official told HT on Monday that the additional 25% punitive tariff on India’s Russian oil imports would be dropped as part of India’s agreement to cease such purchases, bringing the final tariff to 18%. While India has confirmed the 18% tariff, nothing has been said on the purchase of Russian oil, which had been a bone of contention between Washington and New Delhi.