Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Aug 25: Indian companies will continue purchasing oil from wherever they get the “best deal”, India’s Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar has asserted, stressing that New Delhi’s energy choices are guided solely by national interest.

In an interview with Russia’s state-run TASS news agency on Sunday, Kumar said India’s priority remains ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. His remarks come amid sharp criticism from the United States over India’s continued import of discounted Russian crude, a charge India has firmly rejected.

“Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. We have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. India’s cooperation with Russia, as with several other countries, has helped bring stability to the global oil market,” he said.

His comments follow the Trump administration’s move to double tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent, including an additional 25 per cent duty linked to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil. Calling Washington’s decision “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified”, Kumar said India will “continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country.”

He further pointed out that other nations, including the US and European countries, also continue to trade with Russia despite their criticism of India.

On Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar too hit back at the US remarks, saying, “It’s funny to have people who work for a pro-business American administration accusing other people of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. But Europe buys, America buys. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”