India's foreign ministry has said it is not aware of a phone call in which US President Donald Trump claimed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil.
On Wednesday, Trump said his Indian counterpart had assured me today that it would end Russian oil imports, a push from the US to economically pressure Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
However, when questioned about the purported call on Thursday, a spokesman for the Indian government cast doubt on Trump's account, asserting he was not aware of any conversation between the two leaders occurring the day before.
The Indian government had previously indicated that discussions with the US regarding its Russian oil purchases were still ongoing.
India has become a crucial energy buyer for Russia amidst the ongoing war, which positions it as a significant market that helps stabilize the Kremlin's finances.
The Trump administration has publicly and diplomatically urged India to terminate its relationship with the Russian energy sector as part of broader efforts to isolate the Kremlin.
While Trump asserted at the White House that Modi had committed to halt purchases within a short time frame, the Indian government's initial response did not explicitly deny that a phone call had taken place. Instead, it emphasized its priority to safeguard Indian consumer interests in a fluctuating energy market.
The subsequent skepticism voiced by the Indian authorities raises additional doubts about whether any agreement has been reached between US and Indian officials.
BBC News has reached out to the White House and State Department for comments on the matter.
