Feb 11 • 01:39 UTC 🇮🇳 India Aaj Tak (Hindi)

Has India put a brake on buying oil from Russia? Statement from the US Trade Representative

The US Trade Representative claims India has started reducing its purchase of Russian oil and is increasing energy purchases from the US and other sources.

Jameson Greer, the US Trade Representative, has asserted that India is beginning to curtail its purchases of Russian oil and energy products. According to Greer, India is intensifying its energy procurement from American sources and other countries. When queried about India's commitment to reducing its reliance on Russian oil over the next five years—potentially purchasing up to $500 billion in energy and technology from the US—Greer simply affirmed, "Yes." This indicates a potential strategic shift in India's energy policy amidst geopolitical tensions.

Greer further elaborated that prior to 2022, India did not engage in significant purchases from Russia, but following the Russia-Ukraine war, there was a surge in India's acquisition of inexpensive Russian oil due to its availability. He highlighted that India has been refining Russian oil to produce gas and other products, some of which are said to have been sold back to Europe. This development points to a complex web of energy trade and politics, particularly in light of the existing sanctions against Russia from Western nations.

The implications of this statement are substantial, as they reflect not only India's strategic economic decisions but also its diplomatic positioning in the global energy market. The potential increase in US-India energy cooperation might have ramifications for international energy prices and the geopolitics surrounding oil supply chains, especially if other nations follow India's lead in reducing Russian energy dependence. A shift in India's energy policy could also impact its domestic energy security and influence regional dynamics in South Asia.

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