• Source:JND

Russia has said that India is free to buy oil from any country and that it has no information on New Delhi's import halt, two days after United States President Donald Trump announced a new India-US trade deal.

Russian Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow is not the sole supplier of oil and petroleum products to India and that New Delhi has bought oil from other countries too.

He said, "We, along with all other international energy experts, are well aware that Russia is not the only supplier of oil and petroleum products to India. India has always purchased these products from other countries. Therefore, we see nothing new here".

In response to the question of India halting Russian oil purchase, Peskov said that he has not heard anything from New Delhi. He added that India is free to buy oil from any country.

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Moscow's remarks came two days after Trump claimed India agreed to completely stop oil purchases from Russia. The trade deal announcement was lauded and welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but his position remained restrained as he only mentioned the reduction of tariffs.

India has not issued an official word on halting Russian oil imports. Instead, Commerce Secretary Piyush Goyal has emphasised diversifying its energy sources as part of a strategy amid changing global circumstances to ensure energy security for its citizens.

Trump made the announcement on the trade deal after a phone call with PM Modi on Monday. PM Modi also confirmed the development, saying Indian goods will now face a reduced US tariff of 18 per cent.

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The 18 per cent tariff is down from a higher reciprocal tariff of 25% and an additional penalty of 25% for buying the Russian oil.

"Wonderful to speak with my dear friend President Trump today. Delighted that Made in India products will now have a reduced tariff of 18%. Big thanks to President Trump on behalf of the 1.4 billion people of India for this wonderful announcement," PM Modi had said in a social media post.


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