NEW DELHI: US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday reiterated Washington’s position that India has committed to refraining from purchasing Russian oil, saying US President Donald Trump does not want any country procuring Russian crude as he seeks to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking shortly after India joined the Pax Silica initiative on the sidelines of the AI Summit, Gor said there was an understanding on the oil issue. “We have seen India diversify its oil supplies. There is a commitment. This is not just about India — the US doesn’t want anyone buying Russian oil,” he said.
He added that President Trump has been clear about his objective. “The President wants this war to end. Anyone who is, in a way, still involved with that conflict is something he wants to see come to an end in hopes that peace will follow,” Gor said.
The envoy noted that India has already been diversifying its energy imports. He also revealed that the US and India are in “active negotiations” to facilitate Indian procurement of Venezuelan oil as an alternative source.
On the trade front, Gor said the interim India-US trade agreement is expected to be signed soon, with only “a few tweaking points” remaining to be resolved.
Responding to the remarks, India’s Ministry of External Affairs referred to a statement by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who said India’s energy policy is guided by national interest. He emphasised that sourcing decisions are made by oil companies based on commercial considerations, including cost, market conditions, availability and risk assessment.
Earlier this month, after both sides agreed on a framework for an interim trade deal and Trump claimed that India had committed to halting Russian oil purchases, the US reduced tariffs on Indian goods from 50% to 18%.
