- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:19 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
United States President Donald Trump said that Washington has provided India with a temporary 30-day waiver allowing it to continue purchasing Russian oil, a step aimed at easing strain on both India and global oil supplies as tensions rise following the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
"I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off… We’ve got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount, and we have – there’s a lot of oil out there," Trump remarked.
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed that the Trump administration hagiven 'permission' to India to buy Russian oil. "The Indians had been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did," Bessent claimed, adding that India had originally planned to replace those supplies with American crude.
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On Saturday, the government clarified its stand on the US' claim that it has given a 'permission' to India to accept Russian oil, saying New Delhi is never dependent on permission and continues to buy crude oil from any source offering the most competitive prices.
"India’s energy supply remains secure and stable. Crude oil sources diversified from 27 to 40 countries, ensuring multiple alternative supply routes. In the national interest, India purchases oil from wherever the most competitive and affordable prices are available," the government said in a statement.
No Other Nation Determines India's Oil Purchase: Govt
A senior government functionary said India has never been dependent on permission from any nation to buy Russian oil and though the US sanctions' waiver allowing refiners to purchase it removes friction, it does not define the country's policy. Dismissing opposition charges, he stated Russian oil continued to flow into India even after the US objected to it and imposed sanctions.
The message from the Centre to every Indian household is clear that the country's fuel supply is fully secure, he added. The government is continuously monitoring the situation and will act, as it always has, in the interest of every citizen, the government functionary said.
"The US waiver of sanctions removes friction. It does not define India's policy, which is governed by the energy trilemma -- affordability, availability and sustainability -- for every Indian household," he explained.