India buys oil for itself, not to help us: Russian envoy amid US tariff threat

India is buying Russian oil because of its own national development, not because it wants to help Moscow, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has said, pushing back against the West's criticism of New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian crude."India does not buy Russian oil for the sake of helping Russia. It is buying oil for itself and its own national development, keeping in mind the well-being and welfare of its own people," Alipov said in an interview with DD News. His statement landed amid intense scrutiny in Washington and other Western capitals over India's purchases of Russian oil. New Delhi sharply increased imports of discounted Russian crude after the Ukraine war began in 2022, making Moscow one of India's biggest oil suppliers.'INDIA CAN STAND ITS GROUND'Speaking to ANI, Alipov had said India previously demonstrated that it was willing to defend its own interests when faced with external pressure."The question from my point of view is how confident India is. But it has shown that it's able to stand its ground and defend India's national security and national interests," he said. #WATCH | Delhi: On being asked how confident Moscow is about the India-Russia energy cooperation, Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, says, "The question is - how confident is India? India has shown that it's able to stand its ground and defend its national interests. And pic.twitter.com/gOZ3HFA4TR— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2026 The ambassador criticised Western sanctions and tariffs targeting countries that continue to trade with Russia, arguing that such measures were being used instead of offering India a better deal."Unfortunately, those who impose sanctions and tariffs have taken the path of pressure tactics instead of honest cooperation. Who prevents those countries from offering a better deal to India in oil than us? But nobody is able to do that. Hence, the pressure and punitive measures," Alipov said, according to ANI. He added that Russia was prepared to supply "as much oil as India needs".US PRESSURE OVER RUSSIAN OIL The issue has become particularly sensitive as Washington weighs tougher measures against major buyers of Russian energy. A proposed US Senate bill would allow tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from the five largest buyers of Russian crude oil or natural gas. India, currently among the biggest purchasers of Russian crude, could therefore face further pressure if such measures are adopted.New Delhi has previously faced US tariff action linked to its Russian oil purchases, although some of those additional duties were later withdrawn.OIL PURCHASES WON'T END THE WAR: JAISHANKARIndia has consistently defended its right to secure affordable energy for its population. Earlier this week, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, said cutting or continuing India's Russian oil purchases would not determine the outcome of the Ukraine war."I think it's also important that all of you get the challenges of providing for energy for 1.4 billion people at a time when the world energy situation is very, very difficult," Jaishankar said."This conflict, which is today in its fifth year, will not be solved because somebody is buying or not buying oil or alumina or minerals or metals or fertiliser. This conflict will be solved by dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation," he added.Russia was India's largest crude oil supplier in August, although Indian purchases fell sharply from the record levels seen in June and July. India imported around 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in August, down 26.3 per cent from July's record 2.82 million bpd, according to Kpler data. Even after the decline, Russian oil accounted for about 45 per cent of India's total crude imports, keeping Moscow well ahead of other suppliers.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Sep 6, 2026 21:41 IST