New Delhi [India], October 16 (ANI): India on Thursday responded to US President Donald Trump’s claims regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged assurance to halt Russian oil purchases, reiterating that its energy sourcing is guided by national interests and the need to protect Indian consumers.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the media, “India is a significant importer of oil and gas. It has been our consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario. Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective. Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy. This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions.”
He further added, “Where the US is concerned, we have for many years sought to expand our energy procurement. This has steadily progressed in the last decade. The current Administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India. Discussions are ongoing.”
Trump had earlier stated during a joint news conference with FBI Director Kash Patel at the Oval Office that PM Modi assured him India would stop buying oil from Russia, calling it “a big step” in efforts to increase pressure on Moscow. He also criticised India’s prior oil imports from Russia, citing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India has maintained that its oil imports from Moscow are essential for economic stability, even as Washington has urged New Delhi to diversify its energy sources.
Meanwhile, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and the Congress party have used Trump’s comments to criticise the government, alleging that PM Modi is “frightened” of Donald Trump. (ANI)
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