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After Trump claimed India might have stopped buying Russian oil, reports have surfaced, claiming that New Delhi has not issued any such instructions to refineries.
India-Russia energy ties: India continues to buy Russian oil (Reuters Image)
Amid Donald Trump’s criticism of New Delhi’s energy ties with Moscow, the Russian media reported that the Government of India has not issued any instructions to refineries in the country to stop their purchase of oil from Russia or explore other suppliers.
“The government did not ask refineries to stop buying Russian oil,” news agency TASS reported, citing a governmental source.
“No instructions were also given regarding oil imports from other sources instead of Russia,” the source added.
Indian Oil Refiners Continue To Buy From Russia: Sources
Earlier in the day, news agency ANI reported, citing sources, that the Indian oil refiners continue to source oil from Russian suppliers.
“Their supply decisions are guided by price, grade of crude, inventories, logistics, and other economic factors,” sources told ANI.
The latest developments come as US President Trump said on Friday (local time) that he had “heard” India was going to stop buying oil from Russia, describing the reported move as “a good step”.
However, he added that he was unaware if it was true.
“I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard, I don’t know if that’s right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens,” Trump told reporters.
How Did India React?
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs clarified that India’s energy purchases are driven by market factors, while underlining New Delhi’s bilateral relationships with other countries should not be seen through the prism of a third country.
“In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances,” he said in response to a report in Reuters that claimed that the Indian state-owned oil refiners have stopped spot purchases of Russian crude in the past week as discounts narrowed and geopolitical pressure intensified.
“Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership,” Jaiswal said.
India-US Tensions Over Russian Ties
Tensions erupted between India and the US this week after several Trump administration officials — including Trump himself — made strong remarks against India.
Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods coming from India and added an unspecified “penalty” over India’s defence and energy relations with Russia. He also announced a new trade deal with Pakistan and even mentioned that Pakistan might supply oil to India in the future.
Escalating his criticism, Trump went so far as to call the Indian economy “dead.”
“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump said.
“India’s tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty, starting on August 1st,” Trump said on social media.
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes…Read More
Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes… Read More
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