India’s purchases of Russian crude are part of efforts to maintain stability in global oil markets, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on Wednesday, describing New Delhi as a key partner in keeping energy prices steady.
In a post on X, Gor said India has played an important role in maintaining oil market stability, noting that the country is among the world’s largest consumers and refiners of crude.
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“India has been a great partner in maintaining stable oil prices around the world. The United States recognises ongoing purchases of Russian oil are a part of this effort,” Gor wrote, emphasising the need for India-US cooperation to ensure market stability for citizens of both countries.The remarks come days after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington had allowed India to purchase Russian oil already in transit to help ease global supply pressures amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, according to an ETonline report.
Speaking in an interview with Fox Business last week, Bessent said the decision was aimed at addressing supply gaps in global markets.
“The world is very well supplied in oil. Yesterday, the Treasury agreed to let our allies in India start buying Russian oil that was already on the water,” he said.
‘India a good actor’
Bessent also described India as a “good actor” that had earlier complied with US requests to stop buying sanctioned Russian crude.
“The Indians had been very good actors. We had asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did. They were going to substitute it with US oil. But to ease the temporary gap of oil around the world, we have given them permission to accept the Russian oil,” he said, adding that Washington may consider lifting sanctions on additional Russian oil supplies.
White House officials have echoed similar views, highlighting India’s cooperation on restrictions related to sanctioned crude.
US Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that President Donald Trump had temporarily permitted India to receive Russian oil shipments amid global supply disruptions.
“We came to this decision as our allies in India have been good actors and had previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil. So as we work to appease this temporary gap of oil supply in the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted India to accept Russian oil,” she said.
Global energy concerns
Gor’s remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which have raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil and gas supplies.
The situation has also prompted India to take steps to safeguard domestic fuel availability, including measures to boost liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply and address concerns over commercial cylinder shortages.
The global energy market has also been rattled by developments around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
US President Donald Trump recently warned Iran against placing mines in the strait and threatened severe military consequences if such actions occurred.
“If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, immediately!” Trump said, warning that failure to do so would trigger strong military retaliation.
