US remains committed to work with India, can be a major supplier of oil and gas: US Embassy official

The US, under the Trump administration, is demanding India stop buying Russian oil and gas, accusing India of funding Russia's war effort and profiteering.

The United States (US) is committed to collaborate with India in terms of exporting high-quality products and services for India to achieve energy security and economic growth, Xiaobing Feng, Principal Commercial Officer, US Embassy in India said on August 26.

Addressing the 'Third Energy Summit of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce', the top official of the US Embassy in New Delhi said that the US can be a major supplier of oil and liquefied natural gas to India.

"In line with India's energy security goals, the US can be a key partner in oil and gas; and nuclear power space. As we meet at this critical structure, the global energy landscape is undergoing profound transformation. Geopolitical instability, the markets, the destructions in supply chains, have exposed vulnerability and underscore the interest in ensuring that we operate secure energy systems for our economies," Feng said.

Her comments came a day before the additional 25% tariffs imposed by the United States (US) on Indian goods kick in. The US on August 26 issued a draft order to implement the additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, effective August 27. The Department of Homeland Security said the move was linked to "threats to the US by the government of the Russian Federation," with India included under the new levies.

In her address, Feng reiterated that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, both Modi and US President Donald Trump reaffirmed their roles as leading consumer and producer in shaping the global energy markets and assured commitment for bilateral energy security partnership, including oil, gas and nuclear energy.

"The United States and India share a commitment to diversify energy resources and enhancing infrastructure. By elaborating American expertise in natural gas, nuclear energy and emerging energy technologies the US can support India's ambitious goals for energy security and grid modernization," Feng said, while adding that US companies will sell products and also partner with Indian players both in terms energy security and grid modernization.

"As we look into the future the United States remains committed to working with India through the export of high quality work-class products and services, to help India achieve its goals of energy security and economic growth," Feng said.

The US, under the Trump administration, is demanding India stop buying Russian oil and gas, accusing India of funding Russia's war effort and profiteering.

India has maintained a firm stance on its continued imports of Russian crude oil, asserting that its oil trade decisions are sovereign and commercially driven, guided by its energy security needs and prevailing global market conditions.