No reason to believe change in India's stance on Russian oil: Russian Foreign Ministry

Russia on Wednesday strongly rejected assertions by Washington that Narendra Modi’s government has agreed to stop buying Russian crude oil , reaffirming that New Delhi’s energy policy remains unchanged and asserting that purchases from Moscow benefit both nations and help stabilize the global energy market .

At her weekly briefing in Moscow, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow “has no reason to believe that India has changed its position on buying Russian hydrocarbons,” dismissing U.S. statements as part of Washington’s effort to influence independent nations . She accused the United States of using “coercive” measures such as sanctions, tariffs and direct prohibitions to curb energy ties with Russia. Zakharova also criticised the European allies of Ukraine, claiming they were not interested in a peace solution .

The comments follow claims by Donald Trump and Marco Rubio that India has committed to halting Russian crude imports under a recent U.S.–India trade agreement. While Trump said India would stop buying Russian oil as part of a deal that sharply reduced U.S. tariffs on Indian goods from 50 per cent to 18 per cent, New Delhi has neither confirmed nor denied this claim. Rubio’s comments appeared to hinge on India not expanding purchases beyond existing levels rather than an outright ban.

Independent data suggest India’s actual purchases of Russian crude have already fallen significantly. Industry figures show that in January 2026, Russia’s share of India’s oil imports slid to its lowest level since late 2022, accounting for just over one‑fifth of total crude imports as New Delhi sought supplies from the Middle East and other sources. Analysts expect the decline to continue through March as India diversifies its import mix.

In part to reduce dependency on any single supplier, Indian refiners have resumed or expanded crude purchases from other producers, including the Middle East and Venezuela. State‑run companies such as Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. and private refiners ( Reliance Industries Limited, Adani Group, Essar Oil etc ) have acquired Venezuelan crude, and Indian firms have received licenses to import Venezuelan oil directly under eased U.S. sanctions, a move seen as aligned with broader trade cooperation with the United States.

Despite the decline, Russia remains an important supplier for India’s energy needs, with New Delhi emphasising that its energy procurement decisions are guided by national interests and market conditions. Russian officials maintain that such commercial ties are mutually beneficial and contribute to stability in the international energy market.