Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 22 thanked US President Donald Trump for his Diwali wishes, saying that the two nations’ democracies 'continue to illuminate the world with hope.' But the friendly exchange on social media comes against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated claims that Modi assured him India would curb purchases of Russian oil, a claim New Delhi’s foreign ministry has already publicly denied.
On October 22, Modi wrote on X, “Thank you, President Trump, for your phone call and warm Diwali greetings. On this festival of lights, may our two great democracies continue to illuminate the world with hope and stand united against terrorism in all its forms.”
Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, said he had spoken to Modi and that India was “not going to buy much oil from Russia.” He added, “He wants to see that war end as much as I do. They’ve cut it way back, and they’re continuing to cut it way back.”
Trump has been repeating his claim that India will not be buying Russian oil despite the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissing that any such call between the US President and Prime Minister Narendra Modi happened at all.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that there had been no recent phone call between the two leaders.
“On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders,” Jaiswal said.
He confirmed that Modi and Trump last spoke on October 9, when the Indian prime minister congratulated Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan, not about Russian oil.
India remains one of the top importers of discounted Russian crude since Western sanctions began in 2022. Despite pressure from the US and Europe, India has defended its purchases as necessary for domestic price stability and energy security.
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