Russia has strongly rebutted President Donald Trump’s recent remarks on India’s energy ties, asserting that oil supplies from Moscow remain beneficial for the Indian economy and are aligned with New Delhi’s national interests.

Moscow’s Clarification

Responding to Trump’s claims that India would halt Russian oil purchases, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said that energy cooperation between the two nations remains grounded in mutual benefit.
He stated, “This is a question for the Indian government. The Indian government prioritises the national interest, and our energy cooperation is very much in line with those interests.”

Alipov’s statement underscores that the oil partnership supports India’s energy security while maintaining geopolitical balance.

Trump’s Claims on Oil Trade

Earlier, President Trump had told reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia, a move Washington has long encouraged.
Trump said, “He (PM Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step. Now we’re going to get China to do the same thing.”

He further acknowledged that India’s energy transition away from Russian crude would not happen overnight, adding, “He’s not buying his oil from Russia. He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon.”

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India’s Official Response

New Delhi, however, reaffirmed its stance that energy decisions are guided by national and consumer interests, not external pressure.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective.”

The MEA added, “Ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broadening our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”

Strategic Balance in India-Russia Energy Ties

Russia currently accounts for about one-third of India’s total crude oil imports, as Indian refiners continue to capitalize on discounted prices amid global market volatility. While the United States has repeatedly urged India to curtail purchases from Moscow, New Delhi maintains that its policy objectives serve economic stability and energy security, not geopolitical alignment.

Moscow’s latest statement reinforces that its partnership with India in the energy sector remains steady—reflecting realpolitik and mutual economic advantage in an evolving global order.

India's Strategic Expansion of US Oil Imports to Balance Trade and Strengthen Bilateral Ties

India is planning to boost its crude oil imports from the United States by an additional $15 billion, building on the current $12-13 billion annual purchases. This move is part of a strategic effort to diversify its energy sources, reduce dependence on sanctioned suppliers like Russia, and address the existing $42.7 billion trade surplus with the US. By increasing US oil imports, India aims to ease ongoing tariff tensions and demonstrate its commitment to balanced trade relations with Washington.

This energy import expansion aligns with India’s growing refining capacity, enabling major refiners like Reliance Industries and Indian Oil Corporation to process a variety of crude types, including US light sweet crude. The decision underscores India’s pragmatic approach to trade diplomacy-balancing its longstanding energy ties with Russia while strengthening economic and strategic cooperation with the US across energy, defence, and technology sectors. This dual approach supports India’s goals of energy security, industrial growth, and a diversified, stable trade portfolio in a complex global landscape.