US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indians during Diwali celebrations at the White House, saying the US and India have a “very good relationship”, and Modi wants to see the Russia-Ukraine conflict end.
Trump once again claimed that India will not buy ‘too much’ oil from Russia. At the event on Tuesday, Trump hosted Indian-American business leaders and prominent community figures, lit the traditional lamp in the Oval Office, and extended greetings to India and Indian-Americans.
Addressing the Indian-American community present at the event, he said, ‘I spoke to your Prime Minister today itself. We had a detailed conversation. We talked business, discussed many issues. He is very interested in this subject.
Describing Modi as ‘a great man’, Trump said that ‘he has become a good friend of mine over the years.’ President Trump also said that he discussed India-Pakistan relations with Prime Minister Modi. He said, ‘We had talked some time ago that there should be no war with Pakistan. Trade was also discussed. There is no war between India and Pakistan. This is a very good thing.’
Trump has several times claimed that he “helped resolve” the recent military conflict between India and Pakistan. However, India has consistently clarified that the ceasefire with Pakistan in May was reached through direct communication between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the armies of the two countries.
Later during a media interaction, Trump once again claimed that India will not buy ‘too much’ oil from Russia. In response to a question, Trump said that America and India are working together on “some excellent agreements”.
He said, ‘I like the people of India very much… I spoke to Prime Minister Modi today, as I said earlier, we have very good relations… He (Modi) will not buy more oil from Russia. Like me, he also wants this war to end. He wants to see an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump claimed, ‘As you know, they will not buy much oil. They’ve cut it down drastically, and they’re cutting it down even further.’
America says that India is getting financial assistance for the war because of buying crude oil from Russia.
Relations between America and India had become tense after Trump’s decision to double the duty on Indian goods to 50 percent. Of this, 25 percent duty was imposed on purchasing oil from Russia. India had described this action of America as ‘unfair, unjust and unreasonable’.
Last week, Trump had said that if India continues to buy oil from Russia, it will have to pay huge tariffs. He claimed that he has received an assurance from Prime Minister Modi that India will now stop buying oil from Moscow.
India’s response came hours after Trump claimed that it was ‘broadening and diversifying’ its energy supply sources to meet its needs as per the market conditions.
