Russia Responds to Trump’s Statement on India’s Oil Policy
Russia has clarified that India is free to buy oil from any supplier worldwide, rejecting claims made by former US President Donald Trump that India had agreed to stop purchasing Russian crude. The Kremlin emphasized that there is nothing new about India’s approach to oil sourcing and that New Delhi’s choices are driven by sovereign policy decisions rather than external pressure.
According to Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, Russia has not received any formal communication from India regarding a halt to its Russian oil imports. Peskov noted that Russia has never been India’s sole supplier of oil and petroleum products, and New Delhi has historically procured crude from a variety of international sources.
Trump’s Claim and the India-US Trade Deal
Trump recently announced a trade deal with India that included lowering reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to the United States. In the context of this announcement, he stated that India would stop buying Russian oil and instead purchase crude from the United States and, potentially, Venezuela. However, India has only confirmed the tariff reduction — there has been no official declaration from New Delhi regarding ending oil imports from Russia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged the tariff cut on social media but did not comment on any commitments about halting Russian crude purchases, leading to confusion and differing interpretations of the deal’s provisions.
Expert Opinion on Oil Sourcing Challenges
Energy analysts say that replacing Russian crude oil entirely would be difficult for India. Russian Urals crude — relatively heavier and sulfur-rich — differs significantly from the predominantly light-grade shale oil supplied by the United States. This difference makes direct substitution challenging without blending with other crude grades, which increases costs.
Moscow typically exported between 1.5 million and 2 million barrels of oil per day to India, a significant volume that the United States alone may not be able to match in the short term. Experts argue that Trump’s claims may be more about asserting diplomatic success in trade negotiations rather than reflecting a realistic shift in India’s energy strategy.
India’s Energy Strategy and Sovereignty
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, buys around 88 % of its crude oil from overseas markets. While imports of Russian oil have declined from peak levels last year, this move is widely seen as strategic diversification rather than complete abandonment of Russian supplies.
The Kremlin’s response underscores Moscow’s view that India’s oil policy remains independent, shaped by national interests and global energy market dynamics. Diplomats from both countries affirm ongoing ties, with Russia valuing its relationship with India and expecting continued cooperation.
