‘Not heard such a statement…’: Foreign Minister Lavrov on Trump's claims of India halting Russian oil imports

During a recent announcement of a trade deal with India, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that India had consented to cease purchasing crude oil from Russia. This statement has drawn scrutiny, particularly from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who expressed surprise at Trump's assertion, stating he had not heard such a claim before. The backdrop of this development includes the U.S. rolling back a 25% tariff on Indian imports of Russian crude that had been imposed in August. As geopolitical dynamics evolve, the energy trade between India and Russia remains a critical topic, especially amid ongoing tensions between the West and Russia. India has historically maintained a strategic partnership with Russia, especially in defense and energy sectors, raising questions about the accuracy of Trump's claims and the implications for Indo-Russian relations amidst increasing U.S. scrutiny of Russian oil imports globally.