MEA responds to Trump: “India’s import policy guided by national interests”

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Following US President Donald Trump's statement that India will soon stop buying oil from Russia, the Indian government has issued an official response. On Thursday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified that India's energy policy is formulated solely with national interests and consumer needs in mind.

“Our import policy is based on our interests…,” the Foreign Ministry said on Trump's claim of stopping oil purchases from Russia. : Jaiswal said that India is a major importer of oil and gas, and in the current volatile global energy scenario, protecting the interests of Indian consumers is the top priority of the government. He said that India's import policy is formulated in accordance with this objective. According to the ministry, ensuring stable energy prices and reliable supplies are the main objectives of India's energy strategy. Under this, India is continuously expanding and diversifying its energy sources to reduce its dependence on any one market.

The Ministry of External Affairs further stated that India's energy partnership with the United States has been growing for a long time. Significant progress has been made in this area over the past ten years, and the current US administration has also expressed interest in expanding energy cooperation with India. Jaiswal stated that discussions between the two countries on this subject are ongoing, and India will maintain a balanced approach to protect its energy interests.