New Delhi: The United States has said India conveyed its commitment not to buy additional Russian oil following fresh American sanctions on Moscow’s energy sector, even as New Delhi reiterated that its foreign policy decisions will remain independent.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington had taken up the issue directly with New Delhi. “The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s oil. In our conversations with India, we’ve gotten their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil. Europe has taken its set of steps moving forward,” Russian news agency Tass quoted Rubio as saying on Saturday.
His comments come amid intensified US efforts to curb Russia’s energy revenues as the conflict in Ukraine continues.
Jaishankar stresses strategic autonomy
At the same conference, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underlined India’s longstanding commitment to independent decision making in global affairs.
“We are very much wedded to strategic autonomy because it’s very much a part of our history and our evolution. It’s something which is very deep, and it’s something which cuts across the political spectrum as well,” Jaishankar said.
On the question of energy sourcing, he described global oil markets as complex and driven by commercial considerations. Companies, he said, evaluate availability, price and risk before finalising purchases. “But if the bottom line of your question is, would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions? Yes, it can happen”.
Trump’s earlier claim and US pressure
Rubio’s remarks follow statements by US President Donald Trump, who earlier claimed that India had agreed to halt Russian oil imports as part of a broader trade understanding. Announcing a breakthrough after prolonged trade tensions, Trump said, “India agreed to stop buying Russian oil and buy more from US,” and framed it as a key outcome of bilateral talks.
During negotiations, Trump repeatedly criticised India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian crude and warned of higher tariffs if dependence on Russian energy persisted. He had at one point said India does not “care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine”.
Russia disputes US version
Russia has rejected claims of any formal assurance from New Delhi. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said only US officials had spoken about such a commitment and maintained that the Indian government had made no such announcement.
India currently sources nearly 35 per cent of its crude oil imports from Russia, a sharp rise since Western sanctions reshaped global energy flows. At the same time, US crude now accounts for nearly 10 per cent of India’s total oil imports.
New Delhi has also expanded energy cooperation with Washington, including a one year LPG import agreement involving Indian public sector refiners and the passage of the SHANTI Bill, 2025, which opens the nuclear power sector to private participation.