‘Trying to ban India...’: Lavrov slams US oil curbs, says Washington is trying to control Russia’s ties with New Delhi

Lavrov criticises US oil curbs, says Washington wants to control Moscow’s ties with India

• Lavrov accuses US of pressuring India to stop buying Russian oil
• US allegedly pushes countries to buy expensive American LNG instead
• India says energy policy is guided by national interest and supply reliability

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of attempting to block India and other countries from purchasing Russian oil, alleging that Washington is using sanctions, tariffs and other restrictive measures to achieve global economic dominance.

Speaking in an interview with TV BRICS, reported by Sputnik and ANI, Lavrov said the US is pressuring countries to abandon affordable Russian energy supplies and instead purchase more expensive American liquefied natural gas (LNG).

“They (US) tell us that the Ukraine problem should be resolved. In Anchorage, we accepted the US Proposal… The US position was important to us. By accepting their proposal, we seem to have completed the task of resolving the Ukrainian issue and moving on to a dull-scale, broad-based and mutually beneficial cooperation. So far, the reality is quite the opposite,” Lavrov said.

He alleged that Washington has intensified pressure tactics, including maritime restrictions and sanctions.

“New sanctions are imposed, a ‘war’ against tankers in the open sea is being waged in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They are trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources (Europe has long been banned), and are forcing them to buy US LNG at exorbitant prices,” he added.

Lavrov claimed the US has set itself the objective of controlling global energy markets and supply routes, calling its approach coercive and incompatible with fair competition.

Calling for continued engagement despite tensions, Lavrov said Russia remains open to cooperation with major economies.

“We have to take all of this into account while remaining open just like India, China, Indonesia and Brazil to cooperation with all countries, including major powers such as the United States. We are in a situation where the Americans themselves are creating artificial obstacles along the way,” he said.

Lavrov’s remarks come amid speculation over India’s future oil purchases from Russia following recent developments in US–India trade relations.

On Monday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri reiterated that India’s energy policy would continue to be guided by national interest, underlining that the country’s priorities are “adequate availability, fair pricing and reliability of supply.”

India has neither confirmed nor denied reports suggesting it may reduce or halt imports of Russian crude after the United States rolled back an additional 25 per cent tariff imposed over New Delhi’s energy purchases.

US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order reducing tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from as high as 50 per cent, following the announcement of an interim trade deal between the two countries.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s long-standing stance on energy security last week.

“So far as India’s energy sourcing is concerned, the government has stated publicly on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority of the government,” Jaiswal said.

“Diversifying our energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy to ensure this. All of India’s actions are taken and will be taken with this in mind,” he added.