New Delhi | India is not worried about sanctions on Russian crude oil and will continue to source energy based on affordability and availability, said Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday.
Addressing the Urja Varta 2025 summit in New Delhi, Puri asserted that India’s energy strategy is guided by pragmatism and market realities, not international pressure.
“We are not concerned about sanctions on Russian crude,” the minister said, “There is enough supply in the global market. India will import oil from wherever it is available at the cheapest rate.”
Puri’s remarks come amid ongoing global scrutiny of countries continuing energy trade with Russia despite Western sanctions. India, which imports more than 80% of its crude needs, has defended its stance on maintaining ties with multiple oil-exporting nations, including Russia.
Diversification as Energy Strategy
Highlighting the government’s proactive energy diplomacy, Puri said India has diversified its oil import sources from 27 countries to nearly 40 in recent years. He emphasized that this shift has enhanced national energy security and reduced dependence on any single nation or region.
“This is the new India,” he declared. “A country that is not driven by pressure but by impact — our decisions are rooted in national interest.”
The Minister’s comments signal a firm continuation of India’s energy-first approach, particularly as oil prices remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions and global economic shifts.
Context and Global Reactions
India has faced criticism from some Western capitals over its increased purchase of discounted Russian crude since the beginning of the Ukraine conflict. However, Indian officials have repeatedly stressed that the country’s priority is energy access for its 1.4 billion people, not aligning with blocs or sanctions that could jeopardize domestic supply and affordability.
Puri’s statement at Urja Varta reinforces that sentiment, aligning with India’s longstanding policy of strategic autonomy in foreign and energy affairs.
