Munich (Economy India): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday said that India has committed to stopping the purchase of Russian crude oil, even as New Delhi has reiterated that its energy procurement decisions will continue to be guided by national interest.
Rubio’s remarks come days after Donald Trump announced a trade deal with New Delhi earlier this month, during which he claimed that India had agreed to halt crude oil imports from Russia.
“India has conveyed its commitment to stop buying Russian oil,” Rubio said on the sidelines of the Munich meetings, reiterating Washington’s position on the issue.
Since Trump’s statement, US officials have repeatedly asserted that India will phase out Russian oil purchases, even as the Indian government has not made any formal announcement confirming such a commitment.
Earlier this week, New Delhi underlined that national interests would remain the guiding factor in India’s energy procurement strategy, amid questions over potential changes to its crude sourcing policy.
India significantly increased its imports of discounted Russian crude following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, citing energy security considerations and price stability at a time of global supply disruptions. Russian oil has since remained a key component of India’s import basket.
Officials in New Delhi have consistently maintained that India’s energy decisions are based on affordability, availability, and economic considerations, and are not influenced by external pressure.
The US has been urging major economies to reduce dependence on Russian energy exports as part of its broader sanctions regime aimed at limiting Moscow’s revenue streams.
The issue of India’s Russian oil imports is expected to remain a sensitive subject in bilateral engagements, particularly as India and the US continue to expand cooperation in trade, defence, and strategic areas while navigating differences on energy and geopolitics.
(Economy India)
