Trump: India will continue to pay 'massive' tariffs unless it stops buying Russian oil

[President Trump Returns To The White House]
Alex Wong/Getty Images News

President Donald Trump has once again claimed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged to stop buying Russian oil, warning that "massive" tariffs would continue if the purchases didn't stop.

"I spoke with Prime Minister Modi of India, and he said he's not going to be doing the Russian oil thing," Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, repeating his claim from last week.

India's foreign ministry previously said it was not aware of any telephone conversation between Modi and Trump.

When asked about India's statement, Trump said, "but if they want to say that, then they'll just continue to pay massive tariffs, and they don't want to do that."

An Indian official on Saturday said negotiators from India had positive meetings with U.S. officials in Washington last week, adding that the two sides narrowed differences on trade-related matters.

A White House official said last week that India halved its purchases of Russian oil, but sources told _Reuters _that no immediate cuts were observed.

The sources added [https://seekingalpha.com/news/4505106-us-says-india-halves-russian-oil-imports-sources-deny-immediate-cuts---reuters] that Indian refiners already placed orders for November loading, so any potential reduction would be reflected in December or January import figures.

India is the second-largest buyer of Russian crude, behind China. India's crude imports from Russia averaged 1.68M b/d in Q3, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea, 13% lower than Q2 as Indian refiners diversify supply.

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