According to Bloomberg, an Indian delegation that visited the US this week repeated the request during a meeting with American officials, citing someone familiar with the speech.
Indian officials emphasized that cutting imports from major producers such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela could promote higher global energy prices.
The delegation’s trip followed Washington’s decision to impose sudden tariffs on India’s imports of Russian oil. Despite these tariffs, New Delhi continues to buy discounted Russian crude oil.
Speaking in New York earlier this week, Minister Piyush Goyal said India is trying to increase its purchases of oil and gas in the US.
Almost 90% of India’s oil demand was met through imports, and discounted Russian barrels have significantly reduced import costs.
India stopped buying Iranian oil in 2019. Reliance Sangyo, the country’s largest private refiner, has also stopped purchasing Venezuelan crude oil amid tightening US sanctions. Indian refiners can source more supplies from the Middle East, but authorities warned that such changes would increase overall costs.
Data from India’s Commerce Department shows that in July, refiners were paid an average of $68.90 per barrel of Russian crude oil, compared to Saudi oil at $77.50 and US crude oil at $74.20. India is Seaborne Russia’s biggest buyer of oil, and China remains the largest importer, including pipeline delivery.
MNA