At the Munich Security Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that India has committed to stopping additional purchases of Russian crude oil,a claim that underscores growing diplomatic dialogue between New Delhi and Washington amid heightened sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Rubio told reporters that in discussions with Indian officials, the United States secured India’s “commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil.”
However, Indian officials have reacted cautiously to this characterization. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated that India remains committed to its policy of “strategic autonomy,” stressing that energy procurement decisions are based on national interest, cost, availability, and risk, not external pressure. He denied that India had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases, stating that oil companies decide imports based on market conditions rather than diplomatic agreements.
Moscow also disputed the U.S. claim, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying Indian authorities had not made any public commitment to end such imports.
India has been one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine conflict began, although volumes have declined recently as New Delhi diversifies energy supplies.
The differing accounts highlight India’s complex balancing act between maintaining strategic independence and managing relations with both Western powers and Russia.
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