Russia has said India is free to source crude from any supplier and dismissed suggestions that New Delhi is moving away from Russian oil following claims made by US President Donald Trump
Russia said on Wednesday that India is free to buy crude oil from any country and that New Delhi’s move to diversify suppliers is not new or aimed at Moscow. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia has never been India’s only source of oil.
“We, along with all other international energy experts, are well aware that Russia is not the only supplier of oil and petroleum products to India. India has always purchased these products from other countries. Therefore, we see nothing new here,” Peskov said at a press briefing.
Trump’s claim about India’s oil purchases
His remarks came after
US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to stop buying Russian oil and instead procure crude from the United States and possibly Venezuela under a trade understanding. Trump agreed to lower American tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent.
Peskov said Moscow had not received any official communication from India indicating an end to Russian oil purchases. He noted that he had made the same point a day earlier, reiterating that no such signal had come from New Delhi.
Backing sustained engagement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said the hydrocarbon trade remains mutually beneficial.
“India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons is beneficial for both sides and helps maintain stability in the global energy market. We are ready to continue close cooperation with our Indian partners,” she said at a briefing.
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