India US Trade Deal: Amid growing pressure from the United States to curb oil imports from Russia, India has firmly reiterated that energy security for its 1.4 billion people remains its highest priority, rejecting any immediate shift in its sourcing strategy.
Addressing the issue during a press briefing, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India’s energy decisions are guided by national interest, market realities, and evolving global conditions, not external pressure.
US Trade Deal: India Focused on Energy Security, Not Political Pressure
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that ensuring uninterrupted and affordable energy supply for India’s vast population is the government’s foremost responsibility.
“Ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government. Diversifying our energy sourcing in line with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics remains central to our strategy,” Jaiswal said.
He added that all present and future decisions on energy imports will continue to follow this principle, underlining India’s consistent stance on the matter.
US Pushes India to Stop Buying Russian Oil
The statement comes in response to recent remarks from the White House, which claimed that India had committed to halting direct or indirect imports of Russian oil and instead increase purchases from the United States.
The US has repeatedly argued that revenue from Russian oil exports is being used to finance the ongoing Ukraine war, an allegation Moscow has denied. Washington has been urging countries, including India, to reduce energy ties with Russia as part of its broader sanctions strategy.
Tariff Withdrawal Linked to Oil Import Discussions
According to US officials, India’s position on oil sourcing formed part of the broader context under which additional tariffs imposed on India over Russian oil purchases were withdrawn. However, India has not officially confirmed any commitment to stop buying Russian crude.
Experts note that Russian oil has helped India manage fuel prices domestically, especially amid global volatility, making an abrupt shift economically challenging.
India Continues Diversification Strategy
India has maintained that it is not dependent on a single source and continues to diversify its energy imports from multiple regions, including the Middle East, the US, and other global suppliers, based on cost-effectiveness and availability.
The MEA’s latest clarification reinforces New Delhi’s long-held position that energy decisions will remain pragmatic, market-driven, and people-centric, even as geopolitical pressures intensify.
