Politics · India Bureau
India faces no international pressure to halt Russian oil purchases: Puri
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has asserted that India is not facing any external pressure to discontinue its oil imports from Russia. The statement was made during the 29th Energy Technology and Innovation Meet.
LSN India ·
India is not under any pressure to stop purchasing Russian oil, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday, underscoring New Delhi's independent approach to its energy requirements. "I have never felt any pressure," Puri stated during an interaction at the 29th Energy Technology and Innovation Meet that commenced in the capital.
The minister's remarks come as India has maintained robust energy trade relations with Russia despite international sanctions imposed on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine. Indian refineries have significantly increased Russian crude oil imports in recent months, taking advantage of discounted prices and strengthening bilateral ties in the energy sector.
Puri's statement reflects India's consistent position of balancing its strategic partnerships while prioritizing national energy security. The country has defended its pragmatic approach to sourcing affordable energy, emphasizing that it pursues policies aligned with national interests rather than external pressures.
The Energy Technology and Innovation Meet serves as a platform for discussing critical energy challenges and technological advancements in the region. India's energy policy continues to focus on diversifying supply sources while maintaining cost-effectiveness for consumers and industries across the nation.
Photo: Hardeep Singh Puri, then Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, speaks at a conference in New Delhi, September 2018. Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, via Wikimedia Commons (GODL-India).