'No reason to believe India reconsidering Russian oil buys,’ says Russia’s foreign minister despite US claims

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

• Russia says India has not changed its Russian oil import policy
• Russia calls energy trade with India mutually beneficial and stable
• India has not confirmed any commitment to end Russian oil imports

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Russia’s foreign ministry on Wednesday said it has 'no reason to believe that our Indian friends have reconsidered their approach” to buying Russian oil', stressing that the energy trade remains mutually beneficial and helps maintain stability in the global energy market.

In a statement, the ministry said India’s continued purchases of Russian crude are “beneficial to both countries and contribute to maintaining stability in the international energy market,” adding that Moscow does not see any shift in New Delhi’s sourcing policy.

The remarks come after the White House claimed that India had agreed to scale back Russian oil imports and increase crude purchases from the United States following direct talks between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters outside the White House that New Delhi had committed to ending Russian oil imports and boosting purchases from the US after a phone conversation between the two leaders.

Leavitt described the understanding as part of a broader effort to strengthen US economic interests and reduce India’s reliance on Russian energy amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. However, India has not issued any official statement confirming such a commitment.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also said Moscow had not heard any formal declaration from India about halting Russian oil purchases and reiterated Russia’s intention to continue developing its strategic partnership with New Delhi.

Meanwhile, India’s imports of Russian oil slipped in January, extending a decline that began in December as refiners explored alternative supplies, Reuters reported, citing industry sources.

According to Reuters, Indian refiners have not been directed by the government to stop buying Russian oil and would require a wind-down period to complete existing purchase contracts.