Importing Russian oil.. New Delhi: Our priority is protecting the interests of the Indian consumer
India‘s energy policy priority is "Advocating for the interests of the Indian consumer" After the American President said Donald Trump The New Delhi pledged to stop importing Russian oil.
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement in which it said: "Our priority is to protect the interests of the Indian consumer, our policy on energy imports is guided by this sole objective"At the end of August, Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports to his country, in response to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil, which Washington considers a primary source of financing the war the Kremlin is waging in Ukraine.
The Indian President’s Promise
After China, India is the largest buyer of Russian oil, which in 2024 represents about 36% of Its imports, compared to about 2% before the start of the war in Ukraine in 2022, according to data from the Indian Ministry of Commerce.
On Wednesday evening, Trump announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised him that India would stop buying Russian oil.
Trump told reporters in the Oval Office: "I was upset about India buying oil, and today Modi assured me that they will not buy oil from Russia"
In its statement, the ministry did not deny or confirm Trump’s statements.
It added: "Regarding the United States, we have been seeking to increase our energy imports from it for years"noting that "The current American authorities have expressed interest in enhancing cooperation in the field of energy with India, and discussions are continuing".
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