Russia’s ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has responded firmly to recent assertions by U.S. President Donald Trump that India would stop buying Russian oil.
He said New Delhi’s purchases are guided entirely by its own national interests, and that the energy partnership remains mutually beneficial. “India and the U.S. are independent in their decisions, and we do not interfere in those issues,” Alipov remarked.
“Our oil supplies are very beneficial for the Indian economy and the welfare of the Indian people.”
He emphasized that Moscow and New Delhi maintain a “trustworthy dialogue” on oil and gas cooperation, pointing out that India’s energy policies are driven by domestic priorities—not geopolitical pressure.
“We have a very comprehensive interaction in our oil and gas cooperation, supplies of Russian oil to India … Our relationship is not directed against anyone. It reflects ties for the benefit of our countries,” he added.
He recalled that India’s leadership has repeatedly affirmed that energy cooperation with Russia supports national economic interests.
On the Indian side, former Foreign Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla also weighed in. He stressed that India maintains strong relationships with both the U.S. and Russia.
“Our relations with both are good,” he said. “I don’t know on what basis President Trump made the statement.
Each bilateral relationship should be evaluated on its own merits.” He declined to comment on whether such assurances had been made in any private conversations.
Recent Developments: Is India Shifting Away from Russian Crude?
While the ambassador and Indian officials continue to insist that no decision has been taken to halt Russian oil imports, several recent signals suggest that refiners are preparing for possible adjustments under external and market pressure.
Refiners exploring alternatives: Indian refineries, especially MRPL (Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd), have indicated that they are scouting for other crude sources even as they hope to continue importing Russian oil.
In the September quarter, around 35–40% of MRPL’s crude came from Russia, benefiting from steep discounts.
Some refiners may scale back: Sources told Reuters that some Indian refiners are preparing to cut Russian oil imports, potentially beginning in December, although they have not yet received formal government directions.
State refiners paused purchases: Back in mid-2025, state-owned refiners such as IOC, HPCL, BPCL, and MRPL reportedly paused new orders of Russian crude, citing narrowing discounts and heightened geopolitical pressure. Private players like Reliance and Nayara continued buying.
No formal policy direction so far: Despite these market-level shifts, HPCL (a state company) has publicly stated that there has been no directive from the government to either buy or stop buying Russian oil.
Government statements: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri recently reiterated that India’s decision to import Russian crude is a market-driven one, and cautioned against disruptions in supply, implying that blocking or sanctioning such trade would have serious consequences.
Has India Officially Decided to Stop?
As of now, no official announcement has been made by the Indian government that it will stop purchasing oil from Russia.
The foreign ministry has emphasized that India will continue to safeguard the interests of its consumers in a volatile energy environment, and that its import policies are shaped by considerations of price stability and supply security.
In response to President Trump’s claim, the MEA stated that New Delhi’s priority has always been the interests of the Indian consumer, and that energy sourcing will be diversified “as appropriate” based on market conditions.
India’s relationship with Russia in energy remains strong. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak recently expressed confidence that the energy partnership would continue, citing the economic advantages and practical demand for Russian resources.
Therefore, while refiners may adjust procurement strategies in response to discounting or external pressure, there is no confirmed policy shift yet toward halting purchases of Russian crude.
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