In a fresh comment highlighting growing concerns over India’s energy ties with Russia, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright praised New Delhi as a close ally but flagged its continued purchases of Russian oil as a point of geopolitical tension.
Speaking at a press briefing, Wright said, “I’m a huge fan of India. It is an awesome ally of America. But it is also buying Russian oil.” He emphasised that the United States wants to see an end to the war in Ukraine and expressed belief that India shares the same objective. The comments are part of a broader pattern of US officials addressing India’s oil trade with Russia, a key factor Washington believes is indirectly funding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Wright, sanctioned Russian oil continues to flow into countries like China, India, and Turkey, which in turn “helps Russia fund that war.”
Highlighting his engagement with India early in his tenure, Wright described the country as “the world’s largest democracy, a fast-growing economy and a truly dynamic society.” He said that India’s rising energy demands are natural, given the nation’s growing prosperity and developmental trajectory. While acknowledging India’s strategic importance, Wright noted that New Delhi is “caught in the middle” of a larger global issue - hinting at the complexities around its Russian oil imports. He suggested that this situation was one reason behind the Trump administration’s decision to impose a 25 per cent tariff on certain Indian imports as a form of economic leverage.
Despite the concerns, Wright struck a hopeful tone about future energy cooperation. He expressed interest in expanding bilateral trade in sectors such as natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, and clean cooking fuels like LPG. “India has been a star in that area. We want nothing more than trade and energy cooperation with India,” he said. President Donald Trump also weighed in recently, claiming at the UN General Assembly that “China and India are the primary funders of the Ukraine war” due to their ongoing Russian energy purchases. He criticised NATO allies as well for not cutting off Russian energy entirely. Trump’s statements came amid a noticeable improvement in US-India relations, particularly following his warm interactions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two countries have recently resumed trade talks that were previously stalled over tariff and regulatory issues.
Meanwhile, US lawmakers have acknowledged that any resolution regarding tariffs and energy tensions will require compromise. Senator Marco Rubio stated this week that the 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods is “something we hope we can fix,” indicating a possible opening for diplomatic negotiation.
New Delhi, for its part, has consistently defended its energy dealings with Moscow as driven by national interest, affordability, and energy security concerns. Indian officials argue that the purchases are within the bounds of international law and reflect market realities.
As diplomatic channels remain active, it remains to be seen whether Washington and New Delhi can find common ground on this key issue without undermining the broader strategic partnership.