• Source:JND
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Hours after US President Donald Trump has claimed that his "friend" Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, New Delhi has reacted to the comments and said, "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," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement released on Wednesday.

India is the second-largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels behind China, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).

What Trump said that triggered row in India 

Earlier today, Trump has claimed PM Modi has assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, a move he described as a “big step” toward increasing pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters at his Oval Office on Wednesday, he said the US was “not happy” that India was buying Russian crude, arguing such purchases helped finance President Vladimir Putin's war.

“He (Modi) is a friend of mine, we have a great relationship... we were not happy with him buying oil from Russia because that let Russia continue on with this ridiculous war where they've lost a million and a half people,” Trump said in response to a question.
“I was not happy that India was buying oil, and (Modi) assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That's a big step. Now we've got to get China to do the same thing,” he said.

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He said India could resume energy trade with Moscow after the Russia-Ukraine war is over.
“If India doesn't buy oil, it makes it much easier, and they're not going to buy, they assured me they will, within a short period of time, they will not be buying oil from Russia... And they'll go back to Russia after the war is over,” he said.

This sparked a political row in New Delhi, where opposition leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the government for allowing the Trump administration to influence the big decisions.

ALSO READ: ‘PM Modi Is Frightened’: Rahul Gandhi Slams Govt After Trump's Big Claim On Russian Oil Purchase

India seeks to increase oil purchase from US

Regarding crude oil purchase from the US, the Indian government  said the Trump administration has shown interest in deepening energy cooperation with India, and discussions are currently underway between the two nations. “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," the MEA added.

US' tariff against Indian oil purchase from Russia

The Trump administration imposed an additional 25 per cent tariffs on India in August for purchasing Russian oil while taking no action against China. Trump's statements come as India's trade negotiating team is already in Washington for the next round of talks with US officials, and India's chief negotiator Rajesh Agrawal is slated to arrive late Wednesday. On Wednesday, the Commerce Ministry stated that India can import more crude oil and natural gas worth $12-$13 billion from the US without altering the configuration of the refineries. The government is keen to diversify the country's energy import portfolio, subject to availability at the "right price".

(With inputs from agencies)

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