US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (October 22) that he had spoken to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders discussed trade-related issues. While talking to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House, Trump described PM Modi as a great person and a good friend. He also wished Diwali to the people of India.

Trump said, ‘I want to convey my best wishes to the people of India. Today I spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We had a great conversation…he is a wonderful person and has become a good friend of mine over time. We discussed many issues, but mainly talked about trade.

#WATCH Washington, DC | On being asked by ANI if tariffs would be imposed on China for buying crude oil from Russia, US President Trump says. “… Right now, as of November 1st, China will have about 155% tariffs put on it. I don’t think it’s sustainable for them. I want to be… pic.twitter.com/WGtOBK3HiF

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2025

Claim made again regarding purchase of Russian oil

The conversation between US President and PM Modi took place at a time when Trump had again claimed a day earlier that Prime Minister Modi had told him that India will no longer buy oil from Russia. Trump had also warned that if India did not do so, it would have to continue paying heavy tariffs.

Trump again said this big thing

He said, ‘I spoke to Prime Minister Modi and he said that India will no longer deal with Russian oil.’ However, when India rejected the claim that there was any phone call between the two leaders on this issue, Trump replied, ‘If they want to say that then they will have to keep paying heavy tariffs and they would not want that.’

Trump is repeatedly giving statements on Russian oil purchase at a time when trade deal talks are going on between India and America. America has imposed a duty of up to 50% on Indian imports, in which an additional duty of 25% was imposed on the purchase of oil from Russia in August. Whereas India has clarified its position and said that its decision to purchase energy is based on market conditions and national interests, and not on any political pressure. India has always reiterated that ensuring affordable and sustainable energy for its citizens is its priority.

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday (October 21) questioned the Central Government as to why US President Donald Trump is repeatedly saying that he has talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about buying oil from Russia.

Jairam Ramesh said that Trump has repeated this claim three times in the last five days and this number may increase as he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest this week. He said that Trump is saying that he spoke to Modi and India promised to stop buying oil from Russia, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has rejected this.

Trump warned India

Trump had also said on Monday that if India continues to buy oil from Russia, heavy tariffs will continue to be imposed on it. He told the media, “I spoke to Prime Minister Modi and he said that he will not buy Russian oil. But if he says so, he will continue to buy, then he will continue to pay heavy tariffs.”

Foreign Ministry had already refused the phone call

The Ministry of External Affairs had already clarified that there was no recent phone call between Modi and Trump on October 15. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the two leaders had spoken over phone only on October 9, in which Modi congratulated Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan and reviewed trade talks. Jaiswal also said that India’s stance on energy policy is based on national interests and safety of citizens.

Trump’s statement is being seen in the context of pressure from Western countries to reduce energy relations with Russia after the Ukraine crisis. India has said that its energy purchases are made keeping in mind the national interest and the safety of Indian consumers.

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