Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 3: Russia has offered to increase supplies of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India to help tackle energy disruptions arising from the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Speaking during his visit to India on April 2 and 3, Denis Manturov said Russian companies are fully capable of ramping up energy exports to the Indian market. Manturov, who also heads the India-Russia trade and economic commission, assured support at a time when supplies from the Middle East face uncertainty due to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.

India significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia in March, with purchases rising by nearly 90 per cent compared to February. The surge came despite an overall dip in India’s total oil imports, underlining its growing dependence on Russian supplies amid disruptions elsewhere.

Russia has also stepped up exports of mineral fertilisers to India, recording a 40 per cent increase last year. Manturov said both nations are working on a joint project to manufacture urea in India.

On the nuclear front, he confirmed that work on new units at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is progressing as planned.

During the visit, Manturov held discussions with S Jaishankar on expanding cooperation across sectors, including energy, agriculture, trade, critical minerals, technology, and connectivity.

He also met senior Indian leaders including Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, reflecting both countries’ intent to deepen strategic and economic ties amid global uncertainties.

Both sides reviewed progress on earlier agreements and explored new avenues of collaboration, including strengthening business partnerships and transport connectivity between the two nations.