India faces no US pressure over Russian oil purchases, minister says

India has not faced pressure from the United States to reduce its imports of Russian crude oil, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Tuesday at an industry gathering in Goa. Puri's remarks underscore New Delhi's independent stance on energy procurement despite broader Western efforts to isolate Russia's economy following its invasion of Ukraine. India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, has significantly increased purchases of Russian crude since international sanctions took effect, taking advantage of steep discounts offered by Moscow. The country has consistently maintained that it makes energy decisions based on national interests rather than geopolitical considerations. Puri's statement reflects India's balancing act between maintaining ties with traditional Western partners while securing affordable energy supplies critical to its economic growth and development objectives.