New Delhi – A significant controversy has emerged surrounding the India Russian oil commitment after the White House released a fact sheet claiming New Delhi has pledged to stop purchasing Russian oil, an assertion not confirmed by the Indian government and notably absent from the bilateral joint statement issued by both countries.
Contradictory Claims Over India Russian Oil Commitment
The White House fact sheet released late Monday asserts that the India Russian oil commitment includes stopping all direct or indirect imports from the Russian Federation in exchange for removing a 25% tariff penalty. This claim appears in both the fact sheet and an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Friday. However, the February 7 India-US joint statement contains no mention of Russian oil purchases or any pledge regarding the India Russian oil commitment.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the controversy on Monday, clarifying that oil purchases were made by private companies based on “market conditions” and emphasizing that “national interest will continue to guide our choices.” This statement directly contradicts the American assertion about the India Russian oil commitment.
Additional Disputed Claims in Trade Agreement
Beyond the India Russian oil commitment controversy, the White House fact sheet lists several other commitments that India has allegedly made, including reducing tariffs on “certain pulses” and ending digital services taxes. These claims have not been officially confirmed by the Indian government and raise questions about the actual scope of the agreement.
The fact sheet states that following a phone call between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two sides reached a framework for an interim deal. However, people familiar with the matter indicated that the fact sheet appeared to be a reiteration of points raised by Trump and other American officials since February 2, representing the American side’s views rather than confirmed bilateral agreements.
Official Indian Response to the India Russian Oil Commitment
There was no official word on the fact sheet from India’s commerce and external affairs ministries on Tuesday. Sources close to the matter emphasized that the India-US joint statement issued on February 7 remained the main document on the trade deal, suggesting the White House fact sheet may not accurately reflect mutually agreed-upon terms regarding the India Russian oil commitment.
One official familiar with the negotiations noted that the fact sheet refers to several things brought up by Trump since February 2, including the purchase of more than $500 billion of US goods over the next five years. Indian officials have clarified this is an intention rather than a firm commitment, indicating similar ambiguity may exist regarding the India Russian oil commitment.
US Officials Double Down on Claims
Despite Indian clarifications, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told Fox Business on Tuesday that India had already started “winding down” Russian oil purchases and ramping up US energy imports. “They’ve already started expanding some of their commitments… They’ve taken down some digital services taxes they had on us already,” Greer stated, further emphasizing the American interpretation of the India Russian oil commitment.
The White House document also stated, “Also on the call, President Trump agreed to remove the additional 25% tariff on imports from India in recognition of India’s commitment to stop purchasing Russian Federation oil,” directly linking tariff relief to the disputed India Russian oil commitment.
Current Status of Russian Oil Imports
There have been indications of India’s public and private oil refiners cutting back on Russian energy purchases since December 2025, with figures suggesting Russia now accounts for less than 25% of India’s total oil imports, down from highs of 35% to 40% seen in recent years. However, people familiar with the matter said the complete zeroing out of Russian oil imports is unlikely, casting doubt on the feasibility of the alleged India Russian oil commitment.
Digital Services Tax Clarification
Regarding digital services taxes mentioned alongside the India Russian oil commitment, India already removed its 6% equalization levy on digital advertising services effective April 1, 2025, through the Finance Bill 2025 passed by Parliament in March last year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated on March 27 that this removal was part of an ongoing process and denied it was a reaction to Trump’s tariff policies.
Pulse Tariffs and Agricultural Sensitivities
The White House fact sheet lists “certain pulses” among agricultural products on which India will reduce tariffs—a category not mentioned in the February 7 joint statement. India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, and the sector is politically sensitive given its impact on millions of farmers and domestic price volatility, making any concessions as controversial as the India Russian oil commitment.
Path Forward and Expected Clarity
Officials made clear that India will take all steps to protect agriculture and other sensitive sectors while taking forward the trade deal. Greater clarity on the India Russian oil commitment and other disputed points is expected when the two sides finalize the interim agreement, anticipated by March.
The US Customs and Border Protection updated its guidelines on Tuesday, stating the 25% Russian oil tariff imposed on India was not applicable, though the 25% reciprocal tariff remained in effect. This administrative change occurred despite ongoing confusion about the actual terms of the India Russian oil commitment.
As negotiations continue, the fundamental question remains: Did India actually make the commitments claimed by the White House, particularly regarding the India Russian oil commitment, or do significant gaps exist between American assertions and Indian agreements?
