Trump says India will buy oil from Venezuela instead of Iran

[sentry]

Quick take on the timing between Trump's Venezuelan oil announcement and the US-India FTA buzz:

Piyush Goyal (Commerce Minister) just said (late Jan/Feb 1, 2026) that FTA talks are 'very advanced,' with 'no sticky issues left,' heading toward 'quick closure' and possible 'good news' soon. He called it a 'positive, good deal' with friendly momentum. This lines up almost exactly with Trump's Feb 1 claim that India is shifting to Venezuelan oil 'as opposed to buying it from Iran' (and implicitly less Russian crude) — which he described as a 'deal' (or 'concept of the deal') already in place.

The Economic Survey 2026 already projected an FTA conclusion this year to cut external uncertainty — especially those Russia-linked tariffs that hit India hard (up to 50% total in phases).Context: India's fresh EU FTA (signed Jan 27, 2026 — the 'mother of all deals') gives New Delhi real leverage and diversification, putting some pressure on the US track without full reliance.

On X/media, people are connecting the dots — e.g., posts saying 'India buying Venezuelan oil means trade treaty negotiated with US and Trump reducing tariffs,' or viewing it as India 'auctioning' suppliers (EU, UAE, now US/Venezuela) to negotiate from strength. Others frame the oil pivot as a US win via tariff leverage to redirect flows away from Russia/Iran.

If US and India does make the deal, other south asian countries who export the same things as India would be in for a toss.

 

[Pradotlc]

Isn’t it an insult for a neighbouring country to be forced to withdraw from its commitments and abandon a major pipeline project?

Isn’t it equally humiliating for a neighbour to be unable to buy oil next door and instead source it from thousands of miles away from USA?

As for India, it was among the last countries to stop buying oil from Iran, whereas Pakistan was one of the first to do so.

Lecturing or shaming other countries when you couldn’t even stand your ground in the first place is nothing but a joke.

Look who is talking....

the fact remains US orders india ... and india obeys like a good peon....

you didnt even have balls correct Trump as he said many times 8 indian planes were shot down and but according the Sick IAF chief 15 planes were destroyed.....and india of course doesn't lie does it.


Pakistan under real Pakistani leadership Imran Khan gives US the finger.... many times

India under real indian leadership always buckles down.

 

[Baibers_1260]

What the hell are you spewing lil bro

Its a logical question. I regret your dyslexia.
When a country with a $4 trillion economy with 8.5% growth rate and a population of 1.5 billion releases an annual budget the stock market should rise.
The only price rise mentioned in the budget is the rise in the price of LNG cylinders used for household cooking.
Apparently India is very comfortable with the pricing on its gas and petroleum imports ( including imports from Venezuela) and can easily afford the $12 billon extra payments ( in dollars).
So why has the stock market plunged ?

 

[sentry]

Ignore the Pakistani distraction. INDIA AND US are close to a deal. Indian stocks will rally in this year. All Indians start investing in today when younstill have a chance.

 

[Baibers_1260]

Venezuela oil fetching 30% higher price, U.S. energy chief says, after first sale worth $500 million


"Buying Venezuelan oil through the United States is not cheap for India. The U.S. charges a 30% handling fee."

That detail escaped our hyper-patriotic friends from the neighboring country to the East. It is assumed the oil will be bought with "Asia's worst performing currency ".
There is a surprising reversal of the Lazor Eyes Foreign Minister,
How India's stance has changed since August 2025.

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/s-jaishankar-explains-red-lines-in-india-us-trade-negotiations-9144639

 

[sentry]

Is stock market in India plunging because higher energy costs ( Example: Venezuelan oil purchased in dollars ) is expected?

Sensex plunges 1800 points, Nifty at 24825: Budget 2026 STT hike triggers market meltdown

India's market reacts to strong Q3 earnings from Sun Pharma and robust EV sales from Tata Motors ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27. Discover key insights.

english.mathrubhumi.com

Lol. India refused to give tax relief for investors and actually increased STT on F&O trades. This spooked the market. But wait 3 months. You'll see.

 

[Hakwa Nadro]

It means that there is a discussion going on to bring the both parties back on track. Trump by his nature always jump the gun. People have to be really gullible to believe that Trump is controlling our foreign policy. Especially coming from Pakistanis, its hilarious.

Reliance had already evinced interest in Venezuelan oil as it had been buying it till may 2025. GOI wouldn't restrict private enterprise from dealing for its benefit. As long as it benefits India, who cares about Trump's diatribe.

Be sure, this will open door for India US trade deal.

ooooo, so delicious

 

[Baibers_1260]

Ignore the Pakistani distraction. INDIA AND US are close to a deal. Indian stocks will rally in this year. All Indians start investing in today when younstill have a chance.

Would the deal include cheap Russian oil also ?

 

[Baibers_1260]

I don’t want to argue here.

If you choose not to believe this because it hurts your ego, that’s your call.
The reality is that Trump openly signaled to the world that US–India relations had worsened because the US wanted two major commitments from India:

So what happened to the Howdy Modi era in President Trump's first term?

A strategic alignment similar to Pakistan’s past role — the US wanted India to act as a frontline ally against China, but India refused.

Correct.. What's the big secret on that? India has been propped up against China for over three decades.

A clear shift into the US camp, with only minimal ties to Russia — something India also declined.

Quite the opposite. India was begging the USA for business as usual during President Trumps second term, The overall assessment on India's score card was negative. India refused to confront China and prove it was a reliable ally; even to safeguard or recover its own territory from Chinese occupation.

India follows an independent foreign policy and does not accept such conditional demands. As a result, the relationship has faced strain.

Correct. The USA follows and independent foreign polcy and is not beholden to any nation for disbursement of largesse. If Indian wanted preferential treatment, India would have to show the ability and willingness to confront China. India's performance was disappointing. If India couldn't crush "a bankrupt failed state " one seventh its size militarily and one tenth its size economically, then what hope was there that India would stand beside the USA like an ally,

Pakistan, however, will not face this kind of situation. Historically, whenever and whatever the US has asked of Pakistan, compliance has rarely been a challeng

Correct. So far Pakistan clearly defines what it can and cannot do for the West regardless of the treatment it gets in return l

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

So what happened to the Howdy Modi era in President Trump's first term?

Correct.. What's the big secret on that? India has been propped up against China for over three decades.

Quite the opposite. India was begging the USA for business as usual during President Trumps second term, The overall assessment on India's score card was negative. India refused to confront China and prove it was a reliable ally; even to safeguard or recover its own territory from Chinese occupation.

Correct. The USA follows and independent foreign polcy and is not beholden to any nation for disbursement of largesse. If Indian wanted preferential treatment, India would have to show the ability and willingness to confront China. India's performance was disappointing. If India couldn't crush "a bankrupt failed state " one seventh its size militarily and one tenth its size economically, then what hope was there that India would stand beside the USA like an ally,

Correct. So far Pakistan clearly defines what it can and cannot do for the West regardless of the treatment it gets in return l

India has never said it would fight China for the U.S. What exists is a strategic partnership based on mutual interests, not a satellite-style relationship like Pakistan’s.

India follows an independent foreign policy. Its decisions are not changed by phone calls or pressure. That’s what separates major powers like India, China, and Russia from client states.

The U.S. has been pressuring India for months—mainly to stop buying Russian oil—but even on this limited issue, India has not fully given in. This shows the limits of U.S. pressure.

India partners where interests align, but it does not act on anyone else’s command.

 

[vasanthm]

Looks like the US India trade deal is in its final stages. If some countries are already struggling to compete at 19% when we are at 50%, one wonders how they’ll manage when are at 20%. Maybe they can claim victory because they might still end up at 1% lower tariff.

 

[Baibers_1260]

India has never said it would fight China for the U.S. What exists is a strategic partnership based on mutual interests, not a satellite-style relationship like Pakistan’s.

Why did India chose to join the QUAD and survey the Malacca straits for a potential blockade of Chinese ships carrying fuel?
USA does expect an equal partnership and alliance with many countries including India which once begged the USA for food. Under the PL-480 scheme the USA reached out and sent food saving millions from starvation.
What it gets in return is abuse and threats.

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India follows an independent foreign policy. Its decisions are not changed by phone calls or pressure. That’s what separates major powers like India, China, and Russia from client states.

If India has an independent foreign policy why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?

The U.S. has been pressuring India for months—mainly to stop buying Russian oil—but even on this limited issue, India has not fully given in. This shows the limits of U.S. pressure.

So why doesn't India increase the import of oil from Russia?

India partners where interests align, but it does not act on anyone else’s command.

Wil it act on the command of its most important ally in the Middle East to take out the nuclear assets of Pakistan?

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

Why did India chose to join the QUAD and survey the Malacca straits for a potential blockade of Chinese ships carrying fuel?
USA does expect an equal partnership and alliance with many countries including India which once begged the USA for food. Under the PL-480 scheme the USA reached out and sent food saving millions from starvation.
What it gets in return is abuse and threats.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

If India has an independent foreign policy why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?


So why doesn't India increase the import of oil from Russia?

Wil it act on the command of its most important ally in the Middle East to take out the nuclear assets of Pakistan?

It’s natural that enemies of the same adversary become natural strategic partners..

The U.S. and India has problems with China’s policies because of its aggressive border and maritime claims. Aligning against those policies brings mutual benefits, but that does not mean India has to abandon its independent foreign policy.

India continues to maintain relationships with Russia, Iran, and others, even though the U.S. is not comfortable with this. However, India has been very open and clear that it will never dump Russia in favor of the U.S.

If India has an independent foreign policy why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?
Are you seriously following India and Russia trade? Recently India and Russian companies signed many agreements from economy to defence

Both countries are seeking to boost their bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030, a 40% increase on current levels.

India & Russia Coordinate Logistics To Boost Trade To US$100 Billion - RUSSIA'S PIVOT TO ASIA

At the Indian-Russian trade forum held last month, key agreements were signed to develop bilateral trade, with attention being paid to mutual transport

russiaspivottoasia.com

 

[Baibers_1260]

It’s natural that enemies of the same adversary become natural strategic partners..

The U.S. and India has problems with China’s policies because of its aggressive border and maritime claims. Aligning against those policies brings mutual benefits, but that does not mean India has to abandon its independent foreign policy.

What exactly is the "independent foreign policy " of India so far as China is concerned. India begged the USA for help in its war against China in 1962. How is that an "independent foreign policy " when a country has to call on another country for its defense?

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent two urgent, "top secret" letters to US President John F. Kennedy on November 19, requesting massive military aid to prevent a potential Chinese takeover of eastern India
. The requests included 12 squadrons of US fighter jets, bomber aircraft, and personnel to man radar installations

Nehru Appeals for JFK's Help in the Sino-Indian War

As Indian defenses crumbled in the face of the Chinese assault, Prime Minister Nehru sent two highly sensitive and remarkable letters to President Kennedy.

historyinpieces.com

India continues to maintain relationships with Russia, Iran, and others, even though the U.S. is not comfortable with this. However, India has been very open and clear that it will never dump Russia in favor of the U.S.

Is India comfortable with China occupying 38,000 sq.km of its territory?
Why does India want to buy weapons from the USA if Russia is such a reliable partner.

If India has an independent foreign policy why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?
Are you seriously following India and Russia trade? Recently India and Russian companies signed many agreements from economy to defence

Yes, I am, and the question was specific. Why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?

Both countries are seeking to boost their bilateral trade to US$100 billion by 2030, a 40% increase on current levels.

India & Russia Coordinate Logistics To Boost Trade To US$100 Billion - RUSSIA'S PIVOT TO ASIA

At the Indian-Russian trade forum held last month, key agreements were signed to develop bilateral trade, with attention being paid to mutual transport

russiaspivottoasia.com

Seeking to boost ? For a distant future? Only $100 billion?
The existing total bilateral trade (goods and services) between the USA and India reached an estimated $212.3 billion in 2024, So in the quest for an independent foreign policy the USA can be bypassed in favor of Russia..
Doesn't make sense.

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

What exactly is the "independent foreign policy " of India so far as China is concerned. India begged the USA for help in its war against China in 1962. How is that an "independent foreign policy " when a country has to call on another country for its defense?

During the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru sent two urgent, "top secret" letters to US President John F. Kennedy on November 19, requesting massive military aid to prevent a potential Chinese takeover of eastern India
. The requests included 12 squadrons of US fighter jets, bomber aircraft, and personnel to man radar installations

Nehru Appeals for JFK's Help in the Sino-Indian War

As Indian defenses crumbled in the face of the Chinese assault, Prime Minister Nehru sent two highly sensitive and remarkable letters to President Kennedy.

historyinpieces.com

Is India comfortable with China occupying 38,000 sq.km of its territory?
Why does India want to buy weapons from the USA if Russia is such a reliable partner.

Yes, I am, and the question was specific. Why has India reduced the import of oil from Russia?


Seeking to boost ? For a distant future? Only $100 billion?
The existing total bilateral trade (goods and services) between the USA and India reached an estimated $212.3 billion in 2024, So in the quest for an independent foreign policy the USA can be bypassed in favor of Russia..
Doesn't make sense.

Are we living in 1962?