“Our cooperation in line with India’s national interest”: Russian envoy on oil purchase

On October 16, 2025, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov asserted that India’s energy import decisions reflect its “national interests,” framing Moscow’s energy collaboration with New Delhi as compatible with those priorities, reports 24brussels.

In response to questions regarding India’s continued purchases of Russian oil, Alipov noted that such matters are ultimately at the discretion of the Indian government, emphasizing that India prioritizes its national interests in these decisions. His comments followed remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him India would cease importing oil from Russia—a statement made during a media interaction in Washington.

Trump characterized Modi’s commitment as a significant step toward enhancing global pressure on Moscow, reaffirming his view of India as a reliable partner. “Yeah, sure. He’s (PM Narendra Modi) a friend of mine. We have a great relationship…I was not happy that India was buying oil. And he assured me today that they will not be buying oil from Russia. That’s a big step,” Trump stated, calling for similar actions from China.

Following these assertions, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs reiterated India’s stance on energy policy, highlighting the importance of its independent approach to energy sourcing. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal articulated that India’s oil and gas import policies prioritize the interests of Indian consumers within a volatile energy landscape. He stated, “Our import policies are guided entirely by this objective. Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy.” Jaiswal emphasized the importance of diversifying energy sources to adapt to market conditions, underscoring that discussions for enhanced energy cooperation with the U.S. are ongoing.

India’s position as a significant oil importer necessitates a careful balance between international relations and domestic energy needs, a challenge that continues to evolve amidst geopolitical tensions regarding Russia’s actions and global energy dynamics.