Donald Trump speaks to Narendra Modi on DiwaliTop Stories

October 22, 2025 12:17

(Image source from: Outlookbusiness.com)

US President Donald Trump mentioned that he had a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday and was given confidence that India would reduce its purchases of Russian oil. Trump has been promoting this idea over the last week and believes it could help create peace in Ukraine. He repeated this statement after lighting a lamp at a special Diwali celebration he hosted at the White House, which was attended by India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Kwatra. His prominent aides of Indian descent, including FBI head Kash Patel and intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, along with the new US ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, and Indian American business leaders, were also at the event.

President Trump Participates in a Diwali Celebration https://t.co/lkg9OrCpYX
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 21, 2025

During the event, Trump called PM Modi a "great friend" and claimed they had a phone discussion on Tuesday. He expressed that India and the US are collaborating on "some great deals," emphasizing the importance of their trade relationship and regional stability.

"I spoke with your Prime Minister today. We had an excellent discussion. We covered trade and many other topics, mainly focused on trade. He is very keen on that," Trump told reporters at the White House. He restated his earlier assertion that Modi assured him that India would not buy large amounts of oil from Russia and that he also wants the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to conclude. "We enjoy a strong relationship, and he will minimize oil purchases from Russia. He desires an end to that war as much as everyone else. Therefore, they will not be buying significant oil, and they are actively reducing these purchases," he emphasized. India denied a similar claim regarding Trump's conversation with PM Modi. In a different statement about energy imports, without mentioning Trump or his assertion, the government declared that its priority is to protect the interests of Indian consumers in an uncertain energy market.