Energy security top priority, India says amid Trump remarks on oil imports

India on Thursday made it clear that its energy policy will continue to be guided by national interest and market realities, after US President Donald Trump claimed that New Delhi could cut back on Russian crude oil purchases and turn instead to suppliers such as the United States and Venezuela.

Responding to queries on the remarks, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies for India’s population of 1.4 billion remains the Government’s overriding concern, and that decisions on oil sourcing are taken independently, based on evolving global conditions.

“The Government has stated on several occasions that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is the supreme priority,” Jaiswal said. “Diversifying our energy sourcing in line with objective market conditions and changing international dynamics is central to this strategy. All our decisions are taken with this principle in mind.”

Trump had earlier suggested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil imports as part of a broader trade understanding, adding that India could increase crude purchases from the US and possibly Venezuela. Indian authorities, however, have not publicly confirmed any such commitment.

On Venezuela, the MEA said the country has historically been a key energy partner for India, though sanctions have repeatedly disrupted oil trade. Venezuela was among India’s major crude suppliers until the 2019–20 financial year, after which imports were stopped following the imposition of sanctions. Purchases briefly resumed during 2023–24, before being halted again due to renewed restrictions.

Jaiswal noted that Indian public sector undertakings have maintained a long-standing presence in Venezuela’s energy sector, including partnerships with the country’s national oil company, PdVSA, dating back to 2008.

“Consistent with our approach to energy security, India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of all crude supply options, including those from Venezuela,” he said, adding that any future imports would depend on commercial viability and regulatory conditions.

On Russian oil, the MEA reiterated that India’s diversification of energy sources is not a new development but part of a long-term strategy. Russia has emerged as a major supplier in recent years, particularly after global energy markets were disrupted, but officials stressed that sourcing decisions are driven by price, availability and broader market considerations.

Russia, for its part, sought to downplay the issue. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said India has always procured oil from multiple suppliers and that Moscow had received no official communication from New Delhi on stopping Russian oil imports. Russian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova also described the energy trade between the two countries as mutually beneficial and based on pragmatic cooperation.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal echoed the MEA’s position, underscoring that energy security remains a top priority for the government. He said India’s choice of oil suppliers is shaped by objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics.

“All our actions are taken with the sole aim of ensuring long-term energy security for the country,” Goyal said.