India has reiterated its long-standing position on importing Russian oil, emphasizing that the country’s energy security takes precedence over international pressures. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified today that India’s strategy focuses on diversifying energy sources to meet the needs of its 1.4 billion population.
The statement comes in response to recent US assertions urging India to stop buying oil from Russia. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government. Diversifying our energy sourcing in line with market conditions and international dynamics is at the core of our strategy.”
The US has alleged that Russia uses revenue from oil exports to fund the war in Ukraine, a charge Russia denies. Following US claims that India would shift to US oil under a trade deal, India stressed that it will continue making decisions based on its national interests.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed India’s freedom to choose suppliers, noting that India has historically purchased oil from multiple countries. “We see nothing new here,” Peskov said.
The clarification also comes amid the India-US trade framework, under which India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on various US industrial and agricultural products, including tree nuts, wine, soybean oil, and red sorghum. In return, the US will apply an 18% tariff on certain Indian goods, including textiles, leather, plastics, chemicals, and home décor items.
India’s stance underscores the delicate balancing act it maintains between international partnerships and domestic priorities. While the US seeks alignment on energy imports, India continues to assert that its energy decisions will be driven by the nation’s strategic and economic needs. Analysts say this approach reflects India’s consistent policy of safeguarding energy security while engaging in global trade agreements.
