MOSCOW: India will continue to buy oil from the most competitive sources to safeguard its energy security, Indian Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar has said, reaffirming New Delhi’s commitment to protecting its national interests amid mounting U.S. pressure over its imports of Russian crude.
In an interview with Russia's state-run TASS news agency, Kumar emphasized that India's energy policy is driven by market dynamics and the needs of its 1.4 billion citizens.
"Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. That’s what the current situation is," he said.
His remarks come as the U.S. steps up criticism of India’s purchase of discounted Russian oil, alleging the revenue supports Russia’s military operations in Ukraine, a claim New Delhi has repeatedly rejected.
Ambassador Kumar underlined that India's energy cooperation with Russia, among other global partners, contributes to global oil market stability. “We have clearly stated that our objective is energy security for 1.4 billion people. Our cooperation with Russia, like with several other countries, has played a role in ensuring that,” he said.
His comments come in the backdrop of the Donald Trump administration doubling tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India's purchase of Russian crude oil.
The US has alleged that India's purchases of Russian crude oil are funding Moscow's war in Ukraine, a charge strongly rejected by India.
Calling Washington's decision "unfair, unreasonable and unjustified", Kumar said that the Indian government "will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country".
India has been maintaining that its energy procurement, including from Russia, is driven by national interest and market dynamics.
Kumar said that trade between India and Russia is based on mutual interests and market factors, and added that it is done with the "overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India".
"There are other countries including the US itself and in Europe trading with Russia," he said.
On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, responding to a question on the US criticism of India on the crude oil issue, said, "It's funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business.
That's really curious. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don't buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys, so you don't like it, don't buy it," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
