India dismisses US pressure over Russian crude purchases

India's Petroleum Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on October 27, 2026, that his country is not facing pressure from the United States to reduce its purchases of oil from Russia, according to Banca y Negocios. At the Energy Technology and Innovation Summit in Goa, the official defended New Delhi's autonomy to ensure national energy security in the face of international turbulence.

According to the Banca y Negocios report, Puri said global crude prices rose 80% because of geopolitical tensions, while in India gasoline and diesel prices rose only 8%. Puri stressed that the country had signed an agreement to obtain 10% of its liquefied petroleum gas needs from the United States. In addition, over the past decade India's strategic reserves reached 5.33 million tons, while refining capacity rose to 267 million tons a year.

The remarks came after a visit by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who toured the Jamnagar refinery with the aim of promoting the processing of Venezuelan crude. In that market, according to El Nacional, an energy agreement covers oil fields with estimated reserves of 65 billion barrels. Meanwhile, on the European front, France 24 reported that Russian liquefied natural gas accounts for 20% of the continent's market, despite sanctions imposed by the European Union.

India's diversification strategy, which has expanded its international suppliers over the past ten years, seeks to cushion global supply shocks. Processing a varied mix of crudes at its refineries allows it to supply the domestic market and keep costs stable for consumers. Going forward, the balance between imports from Russia and the alternatives promoted by Washington will determine the stability of India's energy supply.