New Delhi, Oct 17: The Indian government on Thursday refuted claims made by US President Donald Trump that he had a recent telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding India's oil imports from Russia.

President Trump, speaking at the White House, alleged that PM Modi had "assured" him India would soon stop purchasing oil from Russia. However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly dismissed the claim, stating that no such conversation had taken place.

“Regarding the comment from the US on the energy issue, we have already issued a statement, which you can refer to. As for the telephonic conversation, I can say that there has been no discussion between the Prime Minister and President Trump,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified.

Trump’s remarks came during a press briefing where he praised PM Modi as “a great man” and India as “an incredible country.”

He suggested the two leaders had spoken recently and might meet during the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. He further claimed that India’s decision to halt Russian oil imports would help end the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

In response, the Indian government reiterated its long-standing energy policy, emphasizing that decisions on oil imports are driven by national interest and consumer needs, not external political pressures.

“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” the MEA said in a written statement.

Also read: Trump Praises PM Modi, Claims India 'Assured' Him To Stop Buying Russian Oil

The ministry also stressed that India’s energy security is built on two pillars — stable prices and assured supply — and that diversification of energy sources remains a key strategy.

During the briefing, Trump also introduced Sergio Gor as the newly appointed US Ambassador to India, expressing confidence in his ability to strengthen bilateral ties.

The incident has sparked diplomatic attention, highlighting the sensitivity surrounding global energy politics and the importance of clear communication between strategic partners.