India will not succumb to external pressure regarding its crude oil imports, including those from Russia, senior Government officials asserted, amid increasing global scrutiny and the threat from the United States.
Responding to growing international concerns over India’s continued purchase of Russian crude oil, Government sources emphasised that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is vigilantly monitoring the situation in close coordination with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
“OMCs will take decisions based purely on their business interests. India will not come under pressure from any external entity,” said a senior Government official familiar with the developments.
Officials highlighted that both Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and private players in India’s oil industry operate independently. While private companies make commercial decisions based on market dynamics, the Government has also deregulated public sector OMCs, giving them autonomy in procurement choices. “There is no Government interference in their commercial decisions,” another senior official stated. “Both private and public players are free to choose their suppliers based on market conditions and their own analysis.”
India has significantly diversified its energy portfolio in recent years. Currently, OMCs source crude oil from over 40 countries, reducing dependency on any single region and reinforcing energy security.
“We are prepared to navigate any challenges. There is sufficient supply to meet domestic demand and the Government remains committed to protecting consumer interests and ensuring energy security,” the source added.
The reaffirmation comes as part of India’s broader strategy to balance geopolitical relations with economic imperatives, especially in an increasingly volatile global energy and trade enviroment.
Separately, addressing concerns about the economic implications of the recently imposed US tariffs, officials clarified that India does not foresee major disruptions. According to internal assessments, the anticipated GDP impact from the tariffs is expected to be less than 0.2 per cent.
“Most goods exported to the US will remain unaffected. While there could be a slight decline in overall exports, the impact will be manageable,” said a senior official.
Reiterating India’s unwavering stance on domestic priorities, the official added, “India is giving top priority to its interests. There will be no compromise when it comes to agriculture, dairy, genetically modified crops, or the MSME sector. No adverse impact will be allowed on the interests of farmers. India will not come under pressure.”
Trade negotiations between India and the US are continuing, with both sides reporting progress in talks over a potential Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). A comprehensive tariff review is expected to be included in the final agreement.