Russia’s foreign minister said on Wednesday that only US President Donald Trump — and no Indian official — had claimed that India would halt purchases of Russian oil, underscoring growing tensions over Washington’s efforts to curb Moscow’s energy trade. Speaking during the Government Hour in the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov responded to a lawmaker’s reference to remarks by Trump asserting that India had agreed to stop buying Russian crude.
“You mentioned that Donald Trump announced India’s agreement to no longer purchase Russian oil,” Lavrov said. “I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders.”
Lavrov’s comments came two days after Russia accused the United States of trying to block India and other countries from purchasing Russian oil through what Moscow described as “coercive” measures, including tariffs, sanctions and direct prohibitions.
In an interview with TV BRICS on Monday, Lavrov accused Washington of employing “unfair methods” to suppress competitors by sanctioning Russian oil companies. “(The US) is attempting to control our trade, investment cooperation, and military-technical ties with major strategic partners, such as India and other BRICS members,” he said.
The dispute follows Trump’s announcement last week of a trade deal with India, during which he said that New Delhi had agreed not to procure crude oil from Russia. In an executive order, Trump also rolled back an additional 25 percent tariff on India that he had imposed in August over India’s purchases of Russian crude.
Indian officials have stopped short of confirming any shift in policy. On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India would continue to draw on multiple sources for crude oil and diversify its suppliers to ensure stability in the supply chain, with national interests remaining the “guiding factor” in procurement decisions.
Lavrov, in his remarks to lawmakers, pointed to deepening ties between Moscow and New Delhi. He said President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India in December 2025 had “enriched Russian-Indian relations, creating a special, privileged strategic partnership.” A “substantial package of joint documents” was signed during the visit, he added.
Another meeting between Putin and PM Modi is expected on the sidelines of the BRICS summit later this year, which will be held under India’s chairmanship, Lavrov said. India formally assumed the chairmanship of the 10-member bloc — comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with five newer members — on January 1, 2026.
Lavrov said Russia was prepared to expand its relationship with India as far as New Delhi wished. “The sky is the limit,” he said. Energy security is expected to be among the top priorities at the upcoming BRICS summit. Lavrov noted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the first meeting of BRICS sherpas in New Delhi that the issue would feature prominently on the agenda.
