Russia Ready To Supply India With As Much Oil As It Needs Amid US Tariff Pressure

Russia has assured India that it is ready to supply “as much oil as India needs”, as pressure mounts from the United States over New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian crude.

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov criticised Western sanctions and tariff threats, accusing those countries of using “pressure tactics instead of honest cooperation” to discourage India from buying Russian oil.

Speaking to ANI, Alipov said Moscow remained committed to meeting India’s energy requirements and argued that countries opposing Russian oil could instead offer India a better deal.

“We would be ready to supply as much oil as India needs,” Alipov said, adding that sanctions and tariffs were preventing countries from offering India a more competitive alternative.

US Pressure Over Russian Oil

The remarks come amid growing pressure from Washington on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy. The US has threatened tougher measures against major buyers of Russian crude, including the possibility of tariffs of up to 100 per cent under a proposed Senate bill.

The issue has become a major point of tension in India-US economic relations, with Washington seeking to restrict Moscow’s oil revenues amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Despite the pressure, India has maintained that its energy purchases are guided by national interest and the needs of its population.

‘World Cannot Cope Without Russian Oil’

Alipov also warned that removing Russian crude from global markets could create serious problems for the international energy system.

“The energy markets cannot afford the exclusion of Russian oil,” he said, stressing that Russian crude would continue to remain available to India and other countries.

The envoy added that Moscow was interested in supplying oil to India, while New Delhi remained interested in purchasing it.

Russia Defends India’s Oil Purchases

In separate remarks, Alipov said India does not purchase Russian oil to support Moscow but to meet its own energy and development requirements. He said New Delhi had demonstrated that it was capable of protecting its national interests despite external pressure.

India has remained one of Russia’s largest crude oil customers. Although Indian imports of Russian crude declined in August from record levels earlier in the year, Russia remained the country’s biggest crude supplier, accounting for roughly 45 per cent of India’s crude imports that month, according to Kpler data cited by India Today.

The latest statements underline the growing importance of energy ties between New Delhi and Moscow, even as India faces increasing pressure from Washington over its continued dependence on Russian crude.