Trump praises PM Modi, then makes bizarre remark: 'Don’t want to destroy his political career’

US President Donald Trump made a bizarre remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday and instantly felt a need for clarification. Talking to reporters at White House, the US president said that "He (PM Modi) loves Trump." The American President then quickly clarified not to take the word "love" any differently, as he "doesn't want to destroy the political career" of the Indian Prime Minister.

'He loves Trump'

"Modi is a great man. He loves Trump," the US president said and then clarified, "I don't want you to take the word "love" any differently. I don't want to destroy his political career."

Trump further said that India is an incredible country and PM Modi is a time-tested leader.

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"I have watched India for years. It's an incredible country, and every single year you would have a new leader. Some would be in there for a few months, and this was year after year after year, and my friend has been there now for a long time," said Trump.

Trump's big claim

Months after punitive tariffs over the Russian oil purchases, Trump also made a big claim on Wednesday, saying that PM Modi has assured him that Indian will stop buying Russian oil. The statement came after the US, on numerous occasions, had criticised India over the Russian oil trade.

"He's assured me there will be no oil purchased from Russia," Trump said. "You know, you can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over with soon," he added.

India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

India responds

Hours after Trump's claim on Russian oil, India’s external affairs ministry said local consumers remain the priority in its crude oil import policy.

MEA said in a statement that the current US administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India, and discussions are ongoing for the same.

India is a significant importer of oil and gas, said MEA. "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."

Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of India's energy policy, the ministry stated. "This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions."

India's Russian oil imports between April and September fell 8.4% on year due to narrower discounts and tighter supplies, with refiners seeking more oil from the Middle East and the United States, according to trade sources and shipping data.

(With TOI inputs)