India, Oct. 17 -- Thursday morning, as India woke up, major news outlets were abuzz with US President Donald Trump's bold assertion about India's trade ties with Russia. Even as trade tensions were still easing between New Delhi and Washington, Trump dropped a big claim: "Modi assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia".

Trump's remarks followed weeks of trade negotiations between India and the US, necessitated by his steep 50% tariffs on Indian imports, that took effect back in August. The duties weren't so high to begin with. Trump specifically doubled them, citing India's oil trade with Russia, which remains a sticking point in trade talks between India and the US.

Trump's latest remark on India's energy ties with ...