India Claims to Halve Russian Oil Imports, But No Cuts Reported on Ground

India reportedly claims to have halved its Russian oil imports amid pressure from the White House, yet on-ground reductions remain unverified, complicating trade relations with the U.S.

• A White House official stated that India has reduced its Petroleum imports from Russia by 50%, aiming to ease tensions over ongoing trade negotiations.
• Despite the White House announcement, sources in New Delhi indicated that no significant drop in Russian oil purchases has been observed at local oil refinery facilities.
• Donald Trump has linked Indias oil imports to his broader trade strategy, imposing tariffs on Indian goods as part of his administrations efforts to curb reliance on Russian crude.