India Says No US Pressure to Reduce Russian Oil Purchases After Trump Waiver
India's oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri said there has been no U.S. pressure on India to cut Russian oil imports, following President Donald Trump's waiver of new sanctions.
India's oil minister Hardeep Singh Puri told reporters he has not experienced any pressure from Washington to reduce imports of Russian oil. This comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving duties and sanctions on Russian energy exports, invoking section 115(a) of the Graham Act as being in the U.S. national interest. The waiver shields India from the up-to-100% tariffs that the recently enacted Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act could have applied to the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas.
The decision follows a separate agreement for Russia to supply diesel to the United States and precedes Secretary of State Marco Rubio's scheduled trip to Mumbai and the Jamnagar refinery operated by Reliance Industries. U.S. envoy Sergio Gor indicated that Trump would decide on the waiver within ten days, and India has repeatedly warned that such tariffs would strain bilateral ties. An expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that threatening strategic partners with tariffs undermines sustainable diplomacy.
Why it matters
The waiver prevents steep tariffs on Indian oil imports, affecting energy costs and U.S.-India trade relations.
How this story developed
- Oct 14 US Secretary Rubio heads commercial delegation to Central Asia and India this week
- Oct 16 The Ministry confirmed the October 20 meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar.
- Oct 19 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will travel to New Delhi and Bengaluru from October 21-23 for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a business delegation.
- Oct 20 The United States announced a 60‑day reprieve on sanctions targeting buyers of Russian oil.
- Oct 21 Rubio held a trilateral meeting with India’s external affairs minister and the UAE foreign minister on regional energy security.
- Oct 24 Prime Minister Donald Tusk met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi and attended a business forum in Bengaluru.
- Oct 24 Rubio added meetings with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Tata Sons chair N Chandrasekaran in Mumbai.
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