NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him of cutting purchases of Russian crude oil, India on Thursday clarified that it is broad basing and diversifying its petroleum procurement to adapt to global market conditions.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that protecting the interests of Indian consumers in a volatile energy scenario has remained a consistent priority for New Delhi.
“Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective,” Jaiswal stated, responding to media queries about Trump’s remarks.
He added, “Ensuring stable energy prices and secure supplies are the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”
India’s continued purchase of petroleum products from Russia, despite Western sanctions, has strained ties between New Delhi and Washington. Speaking in Washington, President Trump said Modi had “assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia,” noting that the process of reducing such imports has begun but will take time.
“It (process) has started. He can’t do it immediately. It’s a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon,” Trump added.