India Cut Russian Oil Imports at My Request
Washington DC: US President Donald Trump claimed that India has significantly reduced oil imports from Russia at his request.
Citing his “great relationship” with India, Trump told reporters at a White House briefing that India was reducing its purchases of Russian oil amid efforts to end the ongoing conflict.
“India withdrew from Russia. India was getting its oil from Russia and they withdrew at my request because we want to end a terrible war where 25,000 people are dying every month. My relationship with Prime Minister Modi is great,” Trump said.
Washington had previously imposed a 25 percent additional tax on India for purchasing discounted Russian oil, increasing the total customs duty to 50 percent. However, after India and the US recently signed an interim trade agreement, customs duties were reduced to 18 percent.
While the US removed additional 25 percent customs duties, it stated that India had committed to stop direct or indirect oil imports from the Russian Federation, would purchase American energy products, and agreed on a framework to expand defense cooperation with the US over the next decade.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that India remains committed to strategic autonomy despite changing global partnerships.
“We are very committed to strategic autonomy because it is part of our history and evolution. It is something very deep and it is also something that spans the political spectrum,” he said.
Addressing concerns about energy supply, Jaishankar described the global oil market as complex and dynamic and pointed out that purchasing decisions are driven by commercial concerns.
“When it comes to energy issues, it’s a complex market today. Oil companies in India, Europe and probably other parts of the world are looking at availability, looking at costs, looking at risks and making decisions that they think are in their best interest,” he said.
Foreign Minister Vikram Misri also underlined that India’s energy decisions will continue to be guided by national interests, emphasizing that adequate availability, fair pricing and supply reliability remain the fundamental pillars of the country’s energy policy.
