No Phone Call Between PM, Trump: India On US President’s Oil Claim
WASHINGTON / NEW DELHI — U.S. President Donald Trump introduced the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, during a press briefing in the Oval Office, using the moment to strike a light-hearted but pointed tone. “We have the new ambassador to India right here. They’re well represented. You better represent us, not them, okay? But Sergio is going to do a great job,” Trump said, gesturing toward Gor.
Gor’s appointment comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension over global energy flows, particularly as Washington has urged allies to reduce their dependence on Russian crude. In response to Trump’s remarks, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement reaffirming New Delhi’s long-standing position that its energy import decisions are driven by national interests rather than external political pressure.
“India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” the MEA said.
The ministry emphasized that India’s approach to energy security is based on two pillars: stable prices and assured supply. “Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions,” the statement read.
Addressing the broader question of U.S.–India energy cooperation, the MEA noted that New Delhi has long sought to deepen its engagement with Washington. “Where the U.S. is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing,” it added.
The exchange underscores the balancing act New Delhi continues to navigate: maintaining strategic energy independence while engaging in closer economic and geopolitical cooperation with Washington. Trump’s comment to Gor, though delivered in a jocular tone, reflects Washington’s growing expectation that key partners will align more closely with U.S. strategic priorities—particularly as it intensifies efforts to isolate Moscow economically.