India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil, Shift to US Supplies: Karoline Leavitt

VoM News Desk | February 4, 2026 | 09:53 AM IST | Breaking News, India, World | Follow on Google News

India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil, Shift to US Supplies: Karoline Leavitt

India has committed to ending its purchases of Russian oil and increasing imports of crude from the United States under a newly announced trade agreement between New Delhi and Washington, the White House said on Tuesday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the commitment followed direct talks between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day earlier. She said the agreement marked a significant shift in India’s energy sourcing strategy and would benefit the American economy.

“India committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil, but also buying oil from the United States, and perhaps also from Venezuela,” Leavitt said, adding that the arrangement would have a “direct benefit on the United States and the American people.”

According to Leavitt, Prime Minister Modi also agreed to expand broader economic cooperation, including investments worth up to $500 billion in the US across sectors such as transportation, energy and agriculture.

President Trump earlier announced that the two countries had reached a trade deal under which the US would reduce reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump described Modi as one of his “closest friends” and said the tariff cut was offered “out of friendship and respect.”

Trump also claimed that India had agreed to lower its tariffs and non-tariff barriers on American goods, while stepping up purchases of US energy. He said the leaders had discussed trade as well as efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

“It was an honor to speak with Prime Minister Modi,” Trump wrote. “He agreed to stop buying Russian oil and to buy much more from the United States, and potentially Venezuela.”

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Prime Minister Modi later confirmed the tariff reduction, saying it would benefit Indian exporters. In a post on X, he thanked Trump for the decision and said he was pleased that “Made in India” products would now face a lower tariff in the US market.

“Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today,” Modi wrote. “Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement.”

Meanwhile, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the agreement had safeguarded India’s sensitive sectors, particularly agriculture and dairy. Addressing a press conference, Goyal said these areas had been protected during negotiations and stressed that Prime Minister Modi had consistently prioritised the interests of farmers and dairy workers.

“The sensitive sectors of India’s economy, especially agriculture and dairy, have been protected,” Goyal said, adding that the deal had generated widespread enthusiasm across the country.

While the White House has outlined the broad contours of the agreement, further details on timelines and implementation are expected in the coming days.

VoM News Desk

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