‘To take a little pressure off’: Trump on 30-day US waiver allowing India to buy Russian oil

US President Donald Trump said the decision to grant India a temporary 30-day waiver to continue purchasing Russian oil was intended to reduce pressure on global energy markets as tensions in the Middle East threaten supply routes. The waiver allows Indian refineries to proceed with certain transactions involving Russian crude despite existing restrictions.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the measure was aimed at easing strain in the oil market. “If there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off, the oil pressure,” he said, adding that the United States has substantial oil resources and that global supply concerns could stabilise quickly.

The temporary waiver was earlier announced by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the move would permit transactions involving Russian oil already at sea. The measure, he said, is designed to maintain supply flows and prevent disruption in global energy markets during the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

India, however, clarified that it does not require permission from any country to purchase crude oil and will continue sourcing energy from wherever it receives the most competitive prices. Officials stated that Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier and imports have continued despite earlier objections from the United States and European Union.

India currently sources a significant portion of its oil from the Middle East, with large volumes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor. Government sources said the country is monitoring the energy situation closely and that existing crude oil stocks and diversified import sources are sufficient to meet domestic demand.