'PM Modi frightened of Trump': Rahul Gandhi after US president claims India will stop buying Russian oil

PM Modi and Trump spoke on September 16 and October 9.

After Donald Trump claimed that Narendra Modi has assured him that India will stop buying Russian oil, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said the prime minister is "afraid" of the US president.

"PM Modi is frightened of Trump. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil. Keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs. Canceled the Finance Minister’s visit to America.  Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh. Doesn’t contradict him on Operation Sindoor," said Gandhi is a post on X.

Trump said on  Wednesday that Indian Prime Minister told him New Delhi will stop buying oil from Russia, though the move will take time.

PM Modi is frightened of Trump. 1. Allows Trump to decide and announce that India will not buy Russian oil. 2. Keeps sending congratulatory messages despite repeated snubs. 3. Canceled the Finance Minister’s visit to America. 4. Skipped Sharm el-Sheikh. 5. Doesn’t contradict him…

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 16, 2025

PM Modi and Trump spoke on September 16 and October 9. However,  New Delhi has not said that the Prime Minister assured the US president of India’s commitment to Russian oil imports.

Trump said the US was “not happy” that India was buying Russian crude, arguing such purchases helped finance President Vladimir Putin’s war.

“He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship... we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they've lost a million and a half people,” the US president said. “I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’ve got to get China to do the same thing,” he said.

India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).