Has India Stopped Buying Russian Oil? After Trump’s Claim In Trade Deal Announcement, Moscow Says Heard Nothing

Remember how US President Donald Trump has often made statements suggesting that he wants to punish countries doing trade with Russia, including India. He even imposed higher tariffs on New Delhi for continued oil trade with Moscow, in a big to end the war in Ukraine, at least that is what he claims.

Even when making the surprise trade deal announcement on Monday night (February 2, 2026), Trump specifically mentioned that India has agreed to stop purchasing oil from Russia as this would help end the war in Ukraine, that is close to completing four years now. But has India really stopped buying Russian oil?

Neither India itself has commented on it, nor the Kremlin has heard anything from New Delhi. Russia on Tuesday (February 3, 2026) said it had received no official communication from New Delhi about halting purchases of Russian oil, pushing back cautiously after US Trump claimed India had agreed to stop such imports.

Responding to questions from reporters, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia was still analysing Trump’s remarks, stressing that Moscow had heard no confirmation from the Indian side.

What did Trump claim while unveiling the India–US trade pact?

US President Trump announced a trade agreement with India under which US tariffs on Indian goods would be slashed to 18% from 50%. In return, Trump said, New Delhi had agreed to halt purchases of Russian oil and lower trade barriers for American goods, claims that have not been denied or accepted by India.

Has India confirmed any halt to Russian oil imports?

According to the Kremlin, the answer is no, at least for now. “So far, we have not heard any statements from Delhi on this issue,” Peskov said when asked directly whether India had decided to stop buying Russian crude. Neither the Indian government nor its energy ministry has publicly confirmed Trump’s assertion.

While acknowledging Washington’s engagement with New Delhi, Moscow underlined that its own relationship with India remains a priority. “We respect bilateral US–Indian relations,” Peskov said, adding, “But we attach no less importance to the development of an advanced strategic partnership between Russia and India.”

Calling the relationship “the most important thing for us,” Peskov said Russia intends to further deepen bilateral ties with Delhi, signalling Moscow’s intent to avoid public confrontation while safeguarding long-term cooperation.

Why does Russian oil matter so much to India?

India emerged as the largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude after Moscow’s war in Ukraine began in 2022. The surge in imports helped Indian refiners manage energy costs but also drew criticism from Western nations, which imposed sanctions on Russia’s energy sector to squeeze revenues funding the war.

Trump’s claim, if implemented, would mark a major shift in India’s energy strategy, with significant implications for global oil markets and geopolitical alignments.

According to Moodys Ratings agency, India was unlikely to turn away from Russian oil completely, because of the immense economic impact of doing so, including increased manufacturing costs and higher consumer prices. “Even though India has reduced its purchase of crude oil from Russia in recent months, it is unlikely to cease all purchases immediately which could be disruptive to India’s economic growth.”

The agency noted that a complete shift toward non-Russian oil could also tighten supply elsewhere, raise prices and pass through to higher inflation given that India is one of the world’s largest oil importers.