⁣ ⁤ Washington’s efforts‍ to curtail⁤ India’s purchases of Russian oil are hitting a wall, complicated by conflicting narratives and⁢ India’s firm commitment to securing affordable energy for its vast population.⁣ Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted, most recently on Sunday aboard Air Force ⁤One, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi privately assured him India would halt⁣ its imports of Russian crude.⁤ Trump‍ has coupled these claims with a warning of continued “massive” tariffs on Indian goods should the country not ⁣comply. ⁣This is the third time Trump has made this claim, dating back to October 15th.

⁢ ⁤ ⁤ Though,‍ the Indian government has consistently refuted these assertions. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that India’s energy policies are driven by the need to “safeguard the ⁤interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” prioritizing stable prices, secure supplies, ⁢and diversification. This ⁤isn’t simply a matter of defiance; India is the world’s third-largest oil importer,‍ and access to affordable energy is critical for its economic⁤ growth ⁤and ‍the well-being of over 1.4 billion people.

The dispute