'No reason to believe India changed stance': Russia rejects US claim on oil imports
Russia on Wednesday dismissed the US’ assertion that India has agreed to stop importing Russian crude oil, saying it has “no reason” to believe New Delhi has changed its position on energy purchases.
Addressing her weekly briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said India’s continued purchase of Russian hydrocarbons benefits both countries and contributes to stability in the global energy market.
“We have no reason to believe that India has changed its position on buying Russian hydrocarbons,” Zakharova said.
She also criticised recent statements by Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, accusing Washington of attempting to dictate terms to sovereign nations.
US claims and trade deal context
Russia’s response came after the United States claimed that India had committed to halting imports of Russian crude.
Rubio said last week that New Delhi had agreed to stop buying Russian oil, while Trump made a similar claim earlier in February while announcing a trade deal with India.
The statements followed a recent phone conversation between Trump and Narendra Modi. Subsequently, both sides announced a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent from 50 percent.
The rollback included the removal of a 25 per cent tariff imposed by Trump in August last year over India’s purchase of Russian oil.
India yet to respond
India has so far neither confirmed nor denied Washington’s claims. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its energy procurement decisions are guided by “national interests”.
Russia has previously accused the US of trying to prevent India and other countries from buying Russian oil through what it calls coercive measures, including tariffs, sanctions and direct restrictions.
Zakharova also criticised European allies of Ukraine, alleging they were not genuinely interested in pursuing a peaceful settlement to the conflict.
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