India-Russia Oil Trade: Lavrov takes swipe at US pressure over Russian oil; India says ‘national interest comes first’

India-Russia Oil Trade: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed the US is trying to block India and other partners from purchasing cheap Russian energy, as New Delhi insists national interest will guide its oil strategy amid fresh speculation about imports slowing.

‘National interest comes first’, says Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri

India’s oil relationship with Russia is once again at the centre of a growing geopolitical tug-of-war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has taken a sharp dig at the United States, accusing Washington of trying to stop India and other partners from buying “cheap, affordable” Russian energy resources.

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His remarks come at a time when global attention is focused on whether India is quietly recalibrating its Russian crude purchases under mounting Western scrutiny and shifting trade diplomacy. With speculation rising about a possible long-term reduction by 2027, the question is no longer just about oil prices - it is about strategy, sovereignty, and global power politics.

Lavrov’s claim: US using sanctions and pressure tactics

In an interview with TV BRICS, Lavrov alleged that the United States has launched what he described as an economic campaign to dominate global energy routes and markets. He argued that Washington is using coercive tools such as tariffs, sanctions, and direct prohibitions to force countries away from Russian supply.

Lavrov claimed the US is attempting to push partners like India into buying American liquefied natural gas at significantly higher prices, calling the measures incompatible with fair competition. His remarks underline Moscow’s frustration as Western pressure continues to target Russian energy exports after the Ukraine war.

India, however, has been clear in its response. New Delhi says its oil-buying decisions are guided by national interest, not by pressure from any country.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underlined on Monday that India’s energy decisions will continue to be guided by national interest. He stressed that India’s key priorities remain:

• Adequate availability
• Fair pricing
• Reliable supply

Misri also pointed out that India, as a developing economy and a net importer of oil and gas, must remain conscious of inflation risks and consumer impact.

Are Indian refiners really cutting back on Russian crude?

Reports in international media have suggested that some Indian refiners have slowed fresh Russian crude orders for upcoming months. However, there has been no official announcement of a halt or ban. The shift, if any, is being seen as part of a broader diversification effort rather than a political surrender.

The US trade angle: Is Trump reshaping the oil equation?

The timing of Lavrov’s remarks is politically sensitive. India and the United States have been moving closer towards a wider trade framework, and energy cooperation is often part of such diplomacy.

US President Donald Trump has previously claimed India may reduce Russian oil purchases, linking the issue to tariff threats and trade negotiations.

India has not confirmed any commitment to stop buying Russian crude, but the overlap between trade diplomacy and oil sourcing has fuelled speculation. Cheap Russian crude still makes sense for Indian refiners, but geopolitics is now part of the price.

After the Ukraine war, India ramped up imports of discounted Russian oil, becoming one of its biggest buyers and helping refiners cut costs. That rush has cooled. Imports are no longer at peak levels, pointing to a gradual pullback rather than a sudden exit.

The shift reflects India’s effort to avoid leaning too heavily on one supplier while keeping fuel affordable. Refiners are widening their sourcing to the Middle East, Africa and South America to stay flexible as sanctions risks, shipping issues and Western pressure grow.

Russia, for its part, says it has received no official word from India about stopping purchases altogether.

Russian officials continue to describe India as a sovereign partner that will act according to its own interests. For Russia, India remains one of the most important energy buyers, making any long-term decline significant.

Will India stop buying Russian oil by 2027?

Despite the noise, experts believe a full cut-off remains unlikely in the near future. Several factors make an outright end difficult:

• Some refineries are optimised for Russian crude grades
• Russia can still offer strong pricing advantages
• India-Russia ties extend beyond oil into defence and strategic cooperation