India Faces No US Pressure to Cut Russian Oil Imports, Minister Says

PTI

Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

India has faced no pressure from the United States to reduce its imports of Russian crude oil, Reuters reported citing Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday.

Reuters quoted Puri as saying, “I never felt anything,” when he was asked whether India had faced pressure to reduce its imports of Russian oil.

Puri said Middle East oil ⁠supplies have been rising as the region is able to ship out more cargoes.

He said India was getting 0.2% of its oil imports from Russia before the Ukraine war, while imports have surged since the war started due to discounts on Russian oil.

Ship-tracking data showed that India’s imports of Middle Eastern crude surged in September, returning to pre-war levels, while refiners reduced purchases from Russia amid strong competition from China.

The minister said that the purchase of Russian oil is linked to discounts ⁠and pricing when compared with other grades. Russian oil imports have been reduced as the refiners are buying more Gulf oil ⁠sold at a discount, he added.

"Whatever people say or do, ultimately it is anchored in their self-interest," ⁠he said.

The minister also said India is expanding its refining capacity to help meet local demand and export commitments.



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