Russia has rejected a claim by United States President Donald Trump that New Delhi agreed to halt purchases of Russian crude as part of a trade arrangement signed with Washington earlier this week, saying India remains free to buy energy from any supplier and that diversification has long been part of its procurement strategy.The Kremlin said Moscow was not the only source of crude for New Delhi and argued there was nothing new in India widening its supplier base. Officials framed the issue as a commercial decision taken by buyers in response to price, logistics and security of supply rather than a political commitment embedded in a bilateral trade deal.
Trump, speaking after the signing of a trade agreement with New Delhi, asserted that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil, presenting the move as aligned with Washington’s push to curb Moscow’s energy revenues. The remarks drew immediate scrutiny given the scale of India’s refining system and its reliance on discounted barrels since 2022, when global oil flows were reshaped by sanctions on Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia had not received any formal notification of a change in policy and stressed that energy trade with India had been conducted on market terms. He added that New Delhi had always sourced crude from a broad mix of producers and that shifts in volumes reflected commercial calculations rather than diplomatic diktats.
New Delhi has not publicly confirmed an undertaking to cease purchases from Russia. Officials have repeatedly stated that energy security requires access to affordable supplies from multiple origins and that procurement decisions are made by refiners. The government has also maintained that imports comply with international rules, with payments structured to avoid sanctioned entities.
Russia emerged as a leading supplier to India after European buyers reduced intake, offering grades such as Urals and ESPO at discounts that appealed to price-sensitive refiners. Those flows have fluctuated as freight, insurance and payment arrangements evolved, and as refiners balanced yields against demand for fuels at home and in export markets. Middle Eastern producers, the United States and Latin American suppliers have remained significant sources alongside Russia.
Analysts note that any abrupt halt would be difficult to implement. Indian refineries are configured to process a range of crudes, and switching entirely away from one source could raise costs, affect margins and complicate product exports. A gradual rebalancing, by contrast, would be consistent with past practice as refiners optimise slates based on economics.
Washington has sought to use trade and diplomacy to persuade major buyers to limit purchases of Russian energy, arguing that reduced revenues would constrain Moscow’s war effort. At the same time, US officials have acknowledged the importance of stable global oil markets and have avoided steps that could trigger price spikes.
The trade deal between New Delhi and Washington, billed as a broad framework to deepen commerce, includes commitments on market access, supply chains and investment. Energy cooperation has featured in past bilateral dialogues, including discussions on liquefied natural gas and strategic petroleum reserves. The agreement’s text has not been released in full, and neither side has detailed any binding clause on crude sourcing.
Market participants responded cautiously to the exchange of statements. Oil prices showed limited movement, reflecting scepticism that policy rhetoric would translate into immediate changes in physical flows. Traders said contracts already in place would likely be honoured, with any adjustment occurring over time if at all.
For Moscow, India has become a crucial outlet as it seeks to maintain export volumes amid constraints elsewhere. Russian officials have emphasised long-term partnerships and investment links, while also acknowledging competition from other suppliers. The Kremlin’s message underscored confidence that demand from Asia would remain resilient even as buyers diversify.