Moscow Sees No Shift in India’s Russian Oil Policy
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said there was “no reason” to believe that India had changed its position on buying Russian oil, arguing that trade benefits both countries and helps stabilize global energy markets.
These remarks came after officials in the US claimed that New Delhi had agreed to halt imports of Russian crude oil.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow saw no sign of any change in policy regarding India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons. He added that India’s purchases serve mutual economic interests and contribute to stability in the international hydrocarbon market.
Zakharova also criticized the statements made by US President Donald Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accusing Washington of trying to dictate terms to sovereign countries.
The comments came following a recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump; Then, both sides announced that the United States had reduced its customs duties on Indian goods from 50 percent to 18 percent, including the elimination of the 25 percent tariff imposed last year as India continued to buy Russian oil.
Trump, who announced that he had signed a trade agreement with New Delhi earlier this month, claimed that India had agreed to stop supplying crude oil from Russia. However, India neither confirmed nor denied this claim and has repeatedly argued that its energy purchasing decisions are guided by national interests.
Moscow has previously accused Washington of trying to prevent India and other countries from buying Russian oil through tariffs, sanctions and other restrictions.
