India Faces No US Pressure to Cut Russian Oil Imports, Says Hardeep Singh Puri

India has faced no pressure from the United States to reduce its Russian crude oil imports, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday at an industry event.

“I never felt anything,” Puri said when asked whether India had been pressured to cut its purchases of Russian oil.

Puri said oil supplies from the Middle East have been increasing as producers in the region are able to ship more cargoes.

He noted that Russia accounted for just 0.2% of India's oil imports before the Ukraine war. Purchases rose sharply after the conflict began, largely because Russian crude was available at discounted prices.

India's imports of Middle Eastern crude oil surged in September, returning to pre-war levels, while refiners reduced Russian oil purchases amid strong competition from China, according to ship-tracking data.

The minister said decisions to buy Russian crude depend on discounts and pricing compared with other grades. Russian oil imports have declined as refiners purchase more discounted crude from Gulf suppliers, he added.

“Whatever people say or do, ultimately it is anchored in their self-interest,” Puri said.

He also said India is expanding its refining capacity to meet domestic demand and fulfil its export commitments.