Russia's Lavrov Responds to US Claims on India's Oil Imports

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the claims made by United States President Donald Trump regarding India's energy purchases from Russia during a session in the Russian parliament. Lavrov stated that no official from India had confirmed the assertion that New Delhi would cease buying oil from Russia, saying, "I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders." Trump's remarks suggested that India's cessation of Russian oil imports was a condition for advancing the India-US trade agreement. On a recent occasion, Trump rolled back additional tariffs on Indian goods, which had been imposed in response to India's energy purchases. Despite Trump's claims, the Indian government has not publicly stated any intention to halt oil imports from Russia. While India has expressed interest in increasing energy imports from the US and Venezuela, Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has maintained a cautious diplomacy regarding energy sources. Goyal remarked in an interview that the trade agreement would not dictate purchasing preferences and that energy transaction decisions would be reliant on market conditions and national security needs. Lavrov's comments followed Russia's allegations that the US was attempting to hinder countries, including India, from purchasing Russian oil through coercive measures. He claimed that American efforts were focused on controlling trade and investment relationships with strategic partners, notably those within the BRICS group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. Lavrov's statements also highlighted America's recent sanctions and trade tariffs as tactics to uphold what he described as global economic dominance. He warned that such measures were counterproductive, compelling nations to turn to United States liquefied natural gas at considerably higher costs. The ongoing situation reflects the complexities in international energy markets, particularly concerning the interactions between major economies and their respective energy policies.