A Republican congressman has pressed the Trump administration on whether revenue from Russian energy sales continues to bankroll Moscow’s war in Ukraine through trade with India, raising concerns over monitoring and enforcement.
During a US House subcommittee hearing, Congressman Keith Self asked how Washington plans to verify claims that India is reducing its Russian oil purchases. “The sale of Russian oil continues to fund the Ukraine war,” Self said, seeking clarity on oversight mechanisms.
“How are you going to enforce or measure if India has stopped buying Russian oil?” he asked, pointing to opaque trading practices such as third-party traders, blended cargoes, ship-to-ship transfers and so-called “ghost ships” used to obscure crude origins.
Responding to Keith Self's questions, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur acknowledged he did not have operational details on enforcement.
"I don't know the details of how that's going to be worked out. I'm happy to stay in touch with you about it," Kapur said.
Even so, Kapur maintained that India has been "gradually shifting its sourcing strategy".
Responding to the questions, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur acknowledged uncertainty over enforcement specifics. “I don't know the details of how that's going to be worked out. I'm happy to stay in touch with you about it,” Kapur said.
He added that India has been “gradually shifting its sourcing strategy” and suggested that increased purchases from the United States and other suppliers could provide an alternative to Russian crude.
Self cautioned that sanctions could lose effectiveness if indirect trade routes remain unchecked, citing reports that Russian-origin energy sold to India may be re-exported to Europe, potentially blunting Western restrictions.
The remarks came as Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed assertions that India had agreed to halt Russian oil imports.
Speaking in the State Duma on Wednesday, Lavrov said, “You mentioned that Donald Trump announced India’s agreement to no longer purchase Russian oil. I have not heard such a statement from anyone else, including Prime Minister Modi and other Indian leaders,” according to PTI.
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