Moscow, Feb 5 (NationPress) The Kremlin has dismissed assertions from US President Donald Trump that Prime Minister Narendra Modi consented to terminate purchases of Russian oil as part of the recent India-US trade agreement, emphasizing that New Delhi retains the freedom to procure crude from any source, and there is nothing remarkable about its energy sourcing choices.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that India has a long-standing history of sourcing oil from various nations and that Russia is not its exclusive supplier, rejecting any notion that New Delhi had pledged to cease Russian oil imports under the trade agreement.

“We, along with all other international energy experts, recognize that Russia is not the only supplier of oil and petroleum products to India. India has consistently sourced these products from a variety of countries. Thus, we do not perceive anything new in this situation,” Peskov conveyed to the press.

Peskov also clarified that Russia had not received any formal notification from India regarding plans to halt purchases of Russian oil.

These statements followed Trump’s claims that India had agreed to stop importing Russian oil in exchange for a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods as part of a comprehensive trade agreement that would lower duties to 18 percent.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the bilateral advantages of hydrocarbon trade with India, asserting that collaboration in oil supplies benefits both nations and fosters stability in the global energy market.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova noted that Russia is willing to maintain strong energy ties with India.

Energy analysts have highlighted that Indian refineries cannot abruptly halt their imports of Russian crude due to variances in crude grades and blending needs, noting that alternative sources like US shale oil cannot instantly compensate for the volume supplied by Russia.

Since the imposition of Western sanctions on Moscow following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has emerged as one of the largest importers of Russian oil, with Russian crude constituting approximately one-third of India's total oil imports in 2025.

Nevertheless, Indian imports from Russia have diminished in recent months amid changes in global energy dynamics and ongoing trade negotiations.

Despite Trump’s assertions, Peskov reiterated that India’s energy policy remains an independent choice and that the strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi continues to hold significance, indicating that any adjustments in oil purchases would be influenced by India’s energy security and commercial interests rather than external pressures.