India has reiterated that its oil and gas import policies prioritize the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile global market. The statement followed US President Donald Trump’s remarks on India reducing purchases of Russian crude.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India aims to ensure stable energy prices and secure supplies. It also plans to diversify its energy sourcing to meet market conditions. The MEA noted that India has long sought to expand energy procurement from the US, and current discussions are ongoing to strengthen cooperation.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said India’s oil imports from the US have fallen from $25 billion to around $12–13 billion in recent years. He added that India can increase purchases by $12–15 billion without adjusting refinery configurations. He also emphasized that diversifying energy imports remains India’s best strategy.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted that Indian oil purchases from Russia have helped stabilize global prices. Russian crude imports remain capped at $60 per barrel and are never under sanctions. India continues to avoid purchasing oil from countries under sanctions, Puri affirmed.
