India rejected US President Trump's claim that Prime Minister Modi assured him of reducing oil purchases from Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India is meeting its energy needs in a diverse and comprehensive manner. Energy cooperation with Russia will continue, and Indian policy is focused on consumer interests.
Russia Oil: In New Delhi, India rejected Trump's claim that Prime Minister Modi assured him of reducing oil purchases from Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India is diversifying and broadening its energy sources according to market conditions. Russia is a reliable energy partner for India, and import policies are aligned with consumer interests. Discussions on energy cooperation with both Russia and the US are ongoing, while the opposition has raised questions about the government's foreign policy on this matter.
Emphasis on Energy Diversification
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India is working towards developing various sources of energy. India imports oil and gas from several countries, including the US, Brazil, and Russia. The Ministry said that India adopts a broad and diversified approach in its energy policy to safeguard the interests of domestic consumers.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Thursday that India is a major importer of oil and gas, and protecting consumer interests is a priority in the volatile global energy landscape. He also stated that discussions are ongoing to deepen energy cooperation with the US, and in recent years, India has sought to expand its American energy purchases.
Rejection of Trump's Claim
Donald Trump claimed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Modi assured him that India would not buy oil from Russia. He stated that the US was not pleased with India purchasing oil from Russia as it could enable Russia to continue the war. The US President also said that India might not be able to cut purchases immediately, but the process had begun.
However, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected this claim, stating that India's energy purchases would not be affected by any political pressure or directives from any country. The Ministry clarified that India's policies are formulated in line with its economic and national interests.
India-Russia Energy Cooperation
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov stated that Russian crude oil accounts for approximately one-third of India's total hydrocarbon imports. He added that energy relations with India are in line with national interests, and Russia continues to sustain cooperation through alternative logistics and payment systems.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak also stated that energy cooperation between Russia and India would continue. He made this remark in response to Trump's claim that India had stopped buying oil from Russia. Novak said that cooperation with India is economically viable and feasible.
US and India Energy Dialogue
The Ministry of External Affairs informed that India is discussing energy cooperation with the US. The process of purchasing oil from Brazil is also ongoing, and for this purpose, Brazil's Vice President Geraldo Alckmin is in India. The Ministry stated that India selects its energy sources according to its needs and maintains them in alignment with national interests.
PM Modi's Kuala Lumpur Visit and Meeting with US Officials
Sources stated that the Prime Minister's visit to Kuala Lumpur would depend on the progress of trade talks with US officials led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal. The final decision regarding the visit would also depend on PM Modi's schedule and the Bihar Assembly election campaign.
The Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the last conversation between PM Modi and Trump took place in February in Washington D.C., where trade talks and the Gaza peace plan were discussed. There had been no recent phone call, contrary to Trump's claim.
