On Tuesday, Russia announced that it has not yet received any official information from India regarding the cessation of Russian oil purchases. This statement comes shortly after US President Donald Trump announced a major trade deal with India, claiming that India has halted oil purchases from Russia.
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, explicitly stated that Moscow has not received any formal message from Delhi on this matter. Peskov emphasized, "So far, we have not been informed by India about halting the purchase of Russian oil." He also added that Russia seeks to further its strategic partnership with India and considers their cooperation vital.
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Earlier, President Trump, while announcing the India-US trade agreement, stated that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil. According to Trump, in return, the US has reduced the import duties on Indian exports from 50% to 18%. He commented that this will provide great relief to Indian products in the US market.
No Official Confirmation from Indian Government Yet!
The Indian government has not yet publicly confirmed a complete halt to oil purchases from Russia. Experts believe India always takes a balanced and cautious approach regarding its energy policy. Russia has long been a source of affordable oil for India, crucial for the nation's energy security.
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India-Russia Relations Extend Beyond Oil and Gas
Russia has also clarified that India-Russia ties are not confined to oil and gas. The two countries share a decades-old relationship in defense, trade, and strategic cooperation. Moscow insists on sustaining this partnership despite global pressures.
India-America Trade Agreement!
On February 3, India and the US signed a historic trade agreement aimed at easing long-standing economic tensions between the two nations. President Trump announced that the US will reduce tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%, while India will gradually reduce its tariffs and non-tariff restrictions on several US imports.
This deal aims to boost trade between both nations, easing exports and imports, thus offering better opportunities for Indian products like textiles, gems, and engineering goods in the US. Trump also claimed that India will now discontinue its purchase of Russian oil, opting instead for energy from the US and potentially Venezuela. Although the Indian government hasn't formally announced this move yet, the deal is expected to enhance cooperation in energy and technology between India and the US.
