New Delhi:The United States on Wednesday once again described India as a “great partner” and praised New Delhi for continuing to buy oil from Russia, saying the purchases help keepglobal oil pricesstable during the ongoing Middle East crisis. The US envoy to India, Sergio Gor, said India’s role as a major oil buyer and refiner is important for maintaining stability in the global energy market.
“India has been a great partner in maintaining stable oil prices around the world. The United States recognizes ongoing purchases of Russian oil are a part of this effort,” Gor wrote on X.
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He added, “India is one of the largest consumers and refiners of oil and it is essential for the United States and India to work hand in hand for market stability for Americans and Indians.”
Earlier in the day, the US government also repeated its position on the temporary waiver that enables India to buy limited quantities of Russian oil. Washington said the step was taken because of the evolving situation in the Middle East and concerns over global oil supply disruptions linked to Iran.
Responding to the US government’s announcement of a temporary 30-day waiver on Russian oil purchases, the Indian government stressed its strategic independence and said its energy decisions are made on its own terms. A senior government official said, “India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil.”
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Earlier, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the waiver is a short-term measure aimed at stabilising global oil markets during the crisis. Responding to a question about the waiver issued last week, Leavitt said the decision reflected India’s earlier cooperation with Western sanctions on Russia.
“They came to this decision because our allies in India have been good actors and have previously stopped buying sanctioned Russian oil,” she said. “So as we work to appease this temporary gap of oil supply around the world because of the Iranians, we have temporarily permitted them to accept that Russian oil and this Russian oil was already at sea.”
She also said the shipments involved crude oil that was already in transit and would not significantly increase Russia’s earnings.
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