New Delhi, October 27, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said India had faced no pressure from the United States to reduce its imports of Russian crude oil, adding that purchasing decisions were primarily guided by prices, discounts and the country’s energy requirements.
Speaking at an event, Puri said he had not felt any such pressure from Washington. He also pointed to increasing supplies from the Middle East, which has been able to ship more crude cargoes.
The minister noted that Russian oil accounted for only around 0.2 per cent of India’s crude imports before the Russia-Ukraine war. Purchases rose sharply after the conflict began, as discounted Russian crude became attractive to Indian refiners.
However, India’s crude sourcing has been shifting. Ship-tracking data cited in the source indicated that imports of Middle Eastern oil increased in September, returning to pre-war levels, while refiners reduced Russian purchases amid competition from Chinese buyers.
Puri said decisions on Russian crude were linked to the discounts available compared with other grades. He added that refiners were purchasing more Gulf oil when it offered competitive prices, underlining that commercial considerations remained central to sourcing decisions.
The issue has drawn international attention amid US measures targeting Russian energy exports and concerns over potential trade penalties for countries continuing to purchase Russian oil. The source report said US President Donald Trump invoked national-interest provisions in October to waive fresh sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russian energy exports under a law enacted the previous month, offering India relief from potential tariffs of up to 100 per cent.
In September, Puri had said India had maintained steady energy imports despite geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions. He has also highlighted India’s growing role in global energy markets, with nearly one-fourth of the world’s growth in energy demand over the next two decades expected to come from the country.
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