What’s India’s response to Trump’s claim about his call with Modi?

India’s priority will remain safeguarding the interests of the nation and Indian consumer, said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in response to US President Donald Trump’s claim that India would stop buying Russian oil.

In a statement released by the MEA, Jaiswal said that protecting the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario will remain their prime objective. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective. The twin goals of our energy policy have been to ensure stable energy prices and secured supplies, the statement read.

When asked if there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, Jaiswla said that he was not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders.

The two leaders spoke on October 9, when Modi congratulated Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan.

Since the war in Ukraine began, the US has repeatedly scoffed at India for buying Russian oil. India’s purchase of crude from Russia is one of the reasons behind Trump’s tariff hike against India.

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Centre on the same issue. He said: “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. Cancelled the Finance Minister’s visit to America. 4. Skipped Sharm-el-Sheikh. 5. Doesn’t contradict him on Operation Sindoor,” in a post on X.