Russia on Thursday reaffirmed that its energy cooperation with India aligns closely with New Delhi’s national interests, pushing back against suggestions of any strain following recent remarks by US President Donald Trump.
Russian ambassador to India Denis Alipov said Moscow remains India’s “most reliable energy partner” and that Russian crude oil continues to be the “most cost-effective option” in the global market. His comments came hours after Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him New Delhi would halt Russian oil imports.
“Russian energy remains the most cost-effective option on the global market, and Russia has consistently honoured its commitments while showing flexibility in developing alternative logistics and payment systems in the face of attempts to disrupt this cooperation,” Alipov said while addressing an event in New Delhi.
He noted that Russian crude currently accounts for around one-third of India’s total hydrocarbon imports and underlined that Moscow’s energy partnership with India has weathered international pressure. “Our cooperation in the energy sector is very much in tune of those interests,” he added, referring to India’s energy security priorities.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Alipov said questions regarding the continuation of India’s oil purchases from Russia were for the Indian government to address. “The Indian government is dealing with the matter having in mind the national interests of this country in the first place,” he said.
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Alipov also described the India-Russia strategic partnership as a “stabilising force” in world affairs and a “powerful driver of economic growth”, stressing that such relationships are in growing demand as nations navigate a phase of “unprecedented geopolitical turbulence”.
New Delhi, meanwhile, reiterated its commitment to broadening energy ties across multiple partners, including the United States. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s approach to energy imports was driven solely by national interest and consumer welfare.
“It has been New Delhi’s consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario,” Jaiswal said. “Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”
India’s continued procurement of Russian oil despite Western sanctions has been a point of friction in Washington, with the US maintaining that global unity against Moscow’s actions in Ukraine is vital.
In Washington, Trump told reporters that “he (Modi) has assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia.” He added, “It (process) has started. He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon.”
As geopolitical crosscurrents intensify, both New Delhi and Moscow appear intent on preserving a pragmatic energy relationship anchored in shared strategic interests.
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