‘India Pulled Back From Russian Oil at My Request,’ Says Donald Trump Amid Tariff Setback

US President Donald Trump praised what he described as a “fantastic” relationship with India, while claiming that New Delhi reduced its purchases of Russian oil following his request. He also asserted that recent judicial developments striking down several of his tariff measures would not affect the US trade framework with India.

Responding to questions about whether an interim trade arrangement with India would remain intact after the US Supreme Court invalidated many of his previously imposed tariffs, Trump said the understanding between the two countries remained unchanged.

“Nothing changes,” Trump said, adding that the revised trade terms were now “fair.” He reiterated his long-standing criticism of past trade structures and spoke positively about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing him as a “great gentleman” while arguing that the bilateral tariff balance had been reversed in Washington’s favor.

Trump further claimed that India had “pulled way back” from buying Russian oil after he personally urged such a move, linking the issue to broader geopolitical concerns. However, Indian authorities have not publicly confirmed any policy shift on Russian energy imports, maintaining that India’s sourcing decisions are guided by national interest and energy security considerations.

The remarks also come against the backdrop of Trump’s repeated assertions that he played a role in easing tensions between India and Pakistan. New Delhi has consistently rejected those claims, stating that ceasefire decisions were handled bilaterally through military channels.

Separately, the Supreme Court ruling marked a significant legal setback for Trump’s tariff policies. In response, the administration announced a temporary global import duty and initiated new trade-related reviews under alternative legal provisions, signaling that tariff policy remains a contested area in US economic strategy.