Web Desk (MNN); United States President Donald Trump on Monday announced a significant “trade deal” with India following a phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revealing that New Delhi has agreed to stop buying Russian oil and may instead increase purchases from the United States and potentially Venezuela.
Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump said he and Modi discussed “many things”, including trade and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. As part of the agreement, the US will lower its reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent, and India will drop tariffs on American products to zero.
Trump described Modi as “one of my greatest friends, and a powerful and respected leader of his country”, and said India agreed to buy more American goods, including energy, technology, agricultural products and coal, totaling over $500 billion.
He also mentioned India’s decision to halt purchases of Russian crude and potentially buy more oil from the United States and Venezuela, framing the shift as a step toward ending the war in Ukraine.
In addition to tariff changes, Trump’s announcement reflects broader US efforts to reduce India’s reliance on discounted Russian oil amid ongoing global tensions, and to reshape trade and energy ties between the two countries.
