Following Wednesday's U.S. president Donald Trump's message that India had committed itself to halting purchases of Russian oil, the Indian MFA admitted that talks were underway on energy cooperation with Washington, but stressed that Delhi's precedence was to defend home consumers.
– India is simply a crucial importer of oil and gas. Our constant precedence is to defend the interests of the Indian consumer in the face of a volatile energy situation. Our import policy is full geared towards this objective," wrote Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of abroad Affairs, published on Thursday.
– As far as the United States is concerned, we have been seeking to grow our energy purchases for many years. Over the last decade, this process has been systematic. The current administration expressed interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Conversations are ongoing – we read in the Communication.
Trump wants to cut Russia off from the money.
On the erstwhile day, the president of the United States declared that Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi assured him that Delhi would halt importing Russian oil. "He assured me that there would be no purchases of oil from Russia. He can't do that right away. This will take any time, but it will be over soon," said Trump quoted by Indian station NDTV.
Reuters reported citing sources close to the case that some Indian refineries are preparing to reduce imports from Russia, although the government did not formally inform them of the suspension of purchases of Russian natural material. The agency's speakers say that it would be hard to abandon purchases immediately, as it would lead to an increase in oil prices and endanger to jump inflation. Between April and September India imported 1.75 million barrels of Russian oil per day. This means a decline – Current purchases of Russian natural material account for 36 percent of full Indian oil importsWhile they accounted for 40 percent a year earlier.
US Critic
Since the beginning of Russia's war with Ukraine, Western powers have criticised India for importing Russian oil – recalled NDTV, adding that in 2023 the MFA responded to these remarks by saying that the West must get free of reasoning that "European problems are planet problems, but the world's problems are not Europe's problems".
For many months, Prime Minister Modi resisted US administration pressures, and Indian officials defended purchases as key to energy security – stressed Reuters. Any decision by Delhi to suspend imports would mean a crucial change in the approach of 1 of Moscow's main energy customers and could change the situation of another countries that proceed to import Russian oil.
President Trump imposed 25% duties on India this summer, after which he added an additional 25 percent due to ongoing purchases of Russian oil. The another main importers of Russian energy natural materials – China and Turkey – were not subject to the same duties.
Polon / PAP
