Moscow has formally dismissed assertions from Washington suggesting that India has agreed to terminate its procurement of Russian crude oil. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated on Wednesday that the Kremlin sees no indication of a shift in New Delhi's stance regarding energy imports, characterizing the ongoing trade as a stabilizing force for the international energy market. This development follows a series of claims from the United States regarding a new trade agreement with India and the subsequent reduction of tariffs on Indian goods.
Official Response from the Russian Foreign Ministry
According to reports from the PTI news agency, Maria Zakharova clarified during her weekly press briefing that Moscow possesses no substantive reason to believe that India has altered its long-standing policy regarding the procurement of Russian hydrocarbons. She emphasized that the acquisition of Russian energy resources by India serves the economic interests of both nations and plays a critical role in maintaining equilibrium within the international energy sector, while zakharova noted that the bilateral trade relationship is built on mutual benefit rather than external political pressures.
The Context of the US-India Trade Agreement
The diplomatic friction intensified following claims by US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that India had committed to halting Russian crude imports, while these assertions were made shortly after a telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump. Following this dialogue, both nations announced a significant reduction in US tariffs on Indian products, bringing them down from 50% to 18%. This reduction notably included the removal of a 25% duty that had been previously imposed by the Trump administration as a punitive measure against New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil.
India's Stance on Strategic Energy Security
Despite the high-profile claims emanating from Washington, the Government of India has maintained a calculated silence regarding any specific timeline or commitment to cease Russian oil imports. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy procurement decisions are guided strictly by national interest and the necessity of ensuring energy security for its population. Indian officials have previously stated that the country's priority remains the acquisition of affordable energy to fuel its economic growth, suggesting that strategic autonomy remains the cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Impact on Global Energy Market Stability
Russia has argued that its oil exports to India aren't merely a bilateral matter but a significant factor in global market stability. Maria Zakharova asserted that the flow of Russian hydrocarbons to the Indian market helps prevent volatility in international oil prices. Moscow contends that any artificial disruption to this supply chain, driven by political motives or sanctions, could lead to price spikes that would adversely affect developing economies worldwide. The Russian ministry views the current trade volume as a necessary component of a balanced global energy architecture.
Moscow's Critique of Western Pressure Tactics
The Russian spokesperson directed sharp criticism toward the US administration, stating that the claims made by President Trump and Secretary Rubio represent a continuation of efforts to infringe upon the sovereign rights of independent nations. Zakharova accused Washington of utilizing coercive economic tools, including tariffs, sanctions, and direct prohibitions, to dictate the trade policies of other countries. Plus, she extended her critique to Ukraine's European allies, alleging that they're more interested in prolonging the conflict than seeking a peaceful diplomatic resolution.