Russia Rejects Washington’s Claims of India Halting Oil Imports from Moscow

The Russian government on Wednesday issued a sharp rebuttal to claims from Washington that India has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil, characterizing the American assertions as an overreach of diplomatic authority.

Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow sees "no reason" to believe New Delhi has pivoted away from Russian hydrocarbons. She emphasized that the energy partnership remains a cornerstone of mutual benefit and serves as a stabilizing force in the volatile global energy market.

The Washington-Moscow Friction
The diplomatic spat follows high-profile declarations from U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both of whom recently suggested that India had committed to a total cessation of Russian oil imports.

"There is nothing new in the claims of US President Donald Trump, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have grabbed the right to dictate to independent nations," Zakharova told reporters. She further criticized the U.S. administration for attempting to steer the domestic policies of sovereign states through economic pressure.

The "Tariff for Oil" Trade-Off?
The controversy stems from a recent breakthrough in U.S.-India trade relations. Following a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Trump, Washington announced a dramatic reduction in tariffs on Indian goods-slashing them from 50% to 18%.

Notably, this rollback included the removal of a 25% "penalty" tariff imposed in August 2024 specifically as a response to India's continued reliance on Russian crude. While Washington has framed this tariff relief as a reward for India's agreement to freeze Russian imports, New Delhi has remained uncharacteristically silent.

India's Doctrine of Strategic Ambiguity
True to its long-standing foreign policy, India has neither confirmed nor denied the American claims. Government officials in New Delhi continue to maintain that energy procurement is a matter of "national interest" and economic necessity rather than ideological alignment.

Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India has leveraged its neutrality to secure deeply discounted Russian oil, transitioning from a marginal buyer (less than 1% of imports) to Russia's primary customer, with imports peaking at nearly 40%.

Global Implications
Moscow's latest remarks also included a jab at European allies of Ukraine, with Zakharova accusing them of stalling peace settlements. However, the primary focus remains the tug-of-war over India's energy loyalty. If the U.S. claims hold true, it would mark a massive victory for Trump's "America First" diplomacy; if Russia is correct, it suggests India is continuing to balance its ties between the two superpowers.