‘I Have Not Heard That’: Lavrov Questions Trump Claim On India Ending Russian Oil Purchases

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday dismissed US President Donald Trump’s claim that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil, saying no other Indian official, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had made such a statement.

Speaking to lawmakers in the State Duma, Lavrov said, “You mentioned that Donald Trump announced India’s agreement to no longer purchase Russian oil. I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders.”

Lavrov’s remarks came two days after Russia accused the US of using a range of “coercive” measures to stop India and other countries from buying Russian oil. These included tariffs, sanctions, and direct prohibitions, aimed at controlling trade and investment

with major strategic partners.

🚨🇷🇺“No one except Trump has stated that India intends to stop purchasing Russian oil,” Lavrov stressed.

According to him, there are no grounds to believe that Russian-Indian agreements are under any risk. pic.twitter.com/lCGmeUBlbC

— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) February 11, 2026

The Russian minister pointed out that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently emphasised energy security as a top priority during BRICS sherpa meetings in New Delhi. India formally assumed the chairmanship of BRICS on January this year, leading a 10-member bloc including Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, and five new members.

Lavrov also spoke about the strengthening of India-Russia relations, noting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India in December 2025.

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“A substantial package of joint documents was signed during President Putin’s state visit to India last December. This visit enriched Russian-Indian relations, creating a special, privileged strategic partnership,” he said.

The Russian minister also added that a new meeting between the two countries’ leaders is expected on the sidelines of this year’s BRICS summit.

Earlier, Trump had announced a trade deal with India and claimed that New Delhi had agreed not to procure crude oil from Russia. The US president also rolled back an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian oil imports from Russia, imposed in August last year.

Responding to these developments, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the country will continue to diversify its crude oil sources to ensure stability in supply, keeping national interests as the “guiding factor” for procurement decisions.

(With inputs from agencies)