New Delhi, Oct 16 (UNI) The Ministry of External Affairs today categorically denied any knowledge of a phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump yesterday, contradicting the US President on his claims that PM Modi had assured him on October 15 that India would not purchase Russian oil.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a briefing: “I am not aware of any conversation between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump yesterday”.
The US President had said yesterday: “I was not happy that India was purchasing Russian oil, and he (PM Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia … That’s a big step. Now I’ve got to get China do the same thing,” he told reporters at the White House.
Regarding the US President’s claims on India’s purchase of Russian oil, the spokesperson referred to a statement issued in the morning, in which the government has clearly stated that India’s energy import policies are guided entirely by the objective of safeguarding the interests of the Indian consumer.
The statement had read: “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.
“Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.
“Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing.”
President Trump, while claiming that PM Modi had assured that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, described the move as a “big step” in pressuring Russia over the Ukraine war.
Lauding PM Narendra Modi’s long tenure and leadership in India, he said, Modi “is a great man. He loves Trump”.
“I don’t want to destroy his political career,” Trump continued. “I have watched India for years. It’s an incredible country, and every single year you would have a new leader,” Trump said, adding, “My friend has been there now for a long time.”
