After U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that India has pledged to stop buying Russian oil, the Indian side said Thursday that it will prioritize the interests of Indian consumers in the energy sector.
"In the volatile energy landscape, safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers has always been our top priority." Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randir Jaiswar said in a statement, "Our import policy is fully guided by this objective."
New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied a shift in its policy on buying Russian oil.
Jaiswal added that "ensuring stable energy prices and guaranteed supply have always been the two major objectives of our energy policy". "This includes expanding the scope of our energy procurement and making timely diversification adjustments to adapt to market changes".
According to the Indian Times, CNN and other media reports, US President Donald Trump said on 15 local time that Prime Minister Modi assured him in a conversation that India would stop buying Russian oil. Trump told reporters at a joint news conference held at the White House Oval Office with FBI Director Patel, “I am dissatisfied with India’s (Russian) oil purchase and he (Modi) assured me today that they will not buy oil from Russia.” Trump also said, “This is a big step.”
Related reports:
“Maybe it’s an emergency news,” Trump says Modi promised to stop buying Russian oil