The Minister of External Affairs on Thursday cleared the air, stating that no conversation took place on October 15 between United States President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US President had claimed that PM Modi had assured him that India would not buy oil from Russia.
On US President Trump’s statement over purchase of Russian oil by India, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "On the question of whether there was a conversation or a telephone call between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, I am not aware of any conversation yesterday between the two leaders."
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The MEA spokesperson said that the two leaders spoke on October 9, where Prime Minister Modi congratulated Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan.
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"Well, the telephone call happened between Prime Minister and President Trump. It was a call where he also congratulated President Trump on the success of the Gaza peace plan and they also reviewed the progress in trade negotiations and they also agreed to stay in touch. So this was the readout that was given post the telephone call. So, that is where it is," Jaiswal said.
On the tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Jaiswal said, "Three things are clear. One, Pakistan hosts terrorist organisations and sponsors terrorist activities. Two, it is an old practice of Pakistan to blame its neighbours for its own internal failures. Three, Pakistan is infuriated with Afghanistan exercising sovereignty over its own territories. India remains fully committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Afghanistan."
He further said, "We have noted the latest sanctions announced by the UK... We do not subscribe to any unilateral sanctions. The Government of India considers the provision of energy security a responsibility of paramount importance to meet the basic needs of its citizens... We would stress that there should be no double standards, especially when it comes to energy trade."