Marco Rubio Says India Assured US It Will Halt Russian Oil Purchases Following Trade Deal

Marco Rubio Says India Assured US It Will Stop Buying Additional Russian Oil

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India has assured Washington that it will refrain from purchasing additional Russian oil, amid fresh US sanctions targeting Moscow’s energy sector.

“The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s oil. In our conversations with India, we’ve received their commitment to stop buying additional Russian oil,” Rubio said at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, according to Russian news agency TASS.

The remarks come as the US intensifies efforts to curb Russia’s energy revenues following the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

At the same conference, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s commitment to strategic autonomy, stressing that decisions on energy purchases are made based on market realities, including availability, costs, and risks. “Would I remain independent-minded and make my decisions? Yes, it can happen,” Jaishankar said.

India has significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine war began, citing energy security and economic considerations. However, Rubio’s statement indicates continued diplomatic engagement between Washington and New Delhi.

This follows former US President Donald Trump’s claim that India had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases as part of a broader trade agreement, which India neither confirmed nor officially endorsed. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dismissed reports of any Indian commitment.

India currently imports nearly 35% of its crude from Russia, though it has begun diversifying energy sources, including a growing share of US crude and a new LPG import deal with American suppliers. The country has also opened its nuclear energy sector to private participation under the SHANTI Bill, 2025.

The differing accounts highlight India’s delicate balancing act: responding to Western pressure while maintaining strategic ties with Russia and safeguarding its energy security.