Leavitt said India agreed to “not only no longer purchasing Russian oil but also buying oil from the United States, and perhaps also from Venezuela,” under the new trade deal
The United States hailed a new trade deal with India this week, saying that New Delhi has agreed to stop buying Russian crude oil and instead boost energy purchases from the United States, while also lowering tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt made the claim on Tuesday as she outlined what the administration described as a broad economic partnership born out of direct talks between President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Leavitt touts deal, strategic energy shift
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Leavitt said the trade agreement would cause a shift in India’s energy sourcing.
“India committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil but also buying oil from the United States, and perhaps also from Venezuela,” she said, adding that this would benefit both American workers and the US economy.
#WATCH | Washington DC | On US-India trade agreement, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt says, “India committed to not only no longer purchasing Russian oil, but buying oil from the United States, also perhaps from Venezuela too, which will now have a direct benefit on… pic.twitter.com/exQUBopZJE
— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2026
She also emphasised broader cooperation, saying India planned “$500 billion of investments into the United States, including for transportation, for energy, and for agricultural products as well” under the deal reached after close engagement between the two leaders.
Tariff cut takes centre stage
The trade agreement—announced by Trump and welcomed by PM Modi—reduces the US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, a significant drop that has been widely praised by Indian exporters and markets. Modi said the tariff cut would help “Made in India” products compete more effectively in the US market.
Also read |
Does the trade deal with US give India an upper hand over China, Pakistan?
However, there has been no official confirmation from the Indian government that it has formally committed to halt purchases of Russian oil. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow had not been informed by New Delhi of such a decision, noting, “So far, we haven’t heard any statements from Delhi on this matter.”
End of Article
