The Russian envoy took a dig at the US and the West, asking what was stopping those countries from offering a better oil deal than Russia. Screengrab: ANI
India buys Russian oil for its own needs, not to help Moscow: Envoy
Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov defends India’s Russian crude purchases as the US weighs tougher sanctions and tariffs on buyers of Moscow’s energy
Amid tightening Western and US sanctions over Moscow’s oil trade, which Washington claims is being used to fund its war in Ukraine, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov has said that India buys oil from Russia for its own energy needs and not to help its country.
"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 told DD News in an interview.
US weighs new penalties
His remarks come at a time when the Trump administration is considering punitive legislation against the top five buyers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, such as the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which will provide authority to the President to impose 10 per cent tariffs on such imports.
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According to the proposed legislation, such trade helps Russia to finance its war in Ukraine. It targets Russian President Vladimir Putin and imposes severe direct sanctions on military generals, state-owned banks and energy projects.
Russia defends India's oil purchases
The Russian envoy also took a dig at the US and the West, asking what was stopping those countries from offering a better oil deal than Russia.
"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,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
Also Read: India pivots to Russian crude as Hormuz Strait blockade chokes supply: Report
"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 added. The Russian envoy also said that his country is willing to supply as much oil as India needs.
Jaishankar backs dialogue
Earlier, on Friday (September 4), Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, during his official visit to Kyiv, said that reducing India’s purchase of Russian oil will not stop the Russia-Ukraine war, adding that the only way to stop the conflict, which is in its fifth year, was through dialogue and diplomacy.
"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," Jaishankar said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.