President Donald Trump asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally pledged India would cease purchasing Russian oil, a claim unveiled during a White House press session.

While Trump described the commitment as a “big step” in his administration’s broader campaign to cripple Russia’s energy revenues, New Delhi has not publicly validated the assertion.

Trump said the shift would not occur immediately, though he expects the process to conclude shortly.

He further indicated his next target would be China, expressing hope that Beijing would follow India’s lead.

These remarks come amid mounting U.S. tariff pressure on India: Washington has doubled its duties on Indian goods to fifty percent, citing India’s ongoing imports of Russian crude.

Though Trump framed the pledge as a diplomatic success, Indian officials have not confirmed that any formal decision has been made.

In past statements, Modi’s government has defended India’s energy purchases as essential to national security amid volatile global markets.

India has also resisted earlier U.S. pressure, maintaining that its choices are sovereign and driven by strategic interest rather than external coercion.

The announcement follows the recent arrival in New Delhi of Sergio Gor, President Trump’s ambassador nominee.

Gor and Modi reportedly discussed trade, defense, and technology.

Observers view the meeting—and the subsequent pledge claim—as an attempt by the U.S. to reset strained bilateral ties after a spate of tariff-driven tensions.

If verified and sustained, India’s decision to abandon Russian oil imports would mark a significant geopolitical shift—targeting one of Russia’s largest energy customers and signaling new alignment in global energy diplomacy.

As of now, however, the substantive details, timeline, and implementation remain unclear.