‘Indian Refiners Continue To Buy Russian Oil’: Sources Refute ‘Pause’ Report Amid Trump's Tirade

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 10:38 IST

Donald Trump had called the report of India "pausing" purchase of Russian oil as "good step", even though India clarified that India is guided by what is on offer in the markets.

India continues to buy Russian oil despite Trump threats

The Indian oil refiners continue to purchase oil from the Russian suppliers, sources clarified on Saturday, highlighting that their supply decisions are guided by prices, grade of crude, logistics, and other economic factors.

“Indian oil refiners continue to source oil from Russian suppliers. Their supply decisions are guided by price, grade of crude, inventories, logistics, and other economic factors," sources told news agency ANI.

India Clears Stand On Ties With Russia

This comes a day after Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India is guided by what is on offer in the international market while securing its energy needs.

“In securing our energy needs, we are guided by what is on offer in the markets, and by the prevailing global circumstances," he said on Friday.

He was reacting to a report published by Reuters claiming that the Indian state-owned oil refiners have halted spot purchases of Russian crude in the past week as discounts narrowed and geopolitical pressure intensified.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (local time) that he had “heard" India might no longer buy Russian oil, calling it a “good step".

“I understand that India is no longer going to be buying oil from Russia. That’s what I heard, I don’t know if that’s right or not. That is a good step. We will see what happens," Trump told reporters.

His remarks came hours after the MEA clarified that India’s purchases are driven by market factors. Jaiswal also underlined that India’s bilateral relationships with countries should not be seen through the prism of a third country.

“Our bilateral relationships with various countries stand on their own merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. India and Russia have a steady and time-tested partnership," Jaiswal had said on Friday.

India-US Tensions Over Tarrifs, Russian Ties

India and the US have witnessed tensions this week after officials in the Trump administration, including the President himself, launched an anti-India tirade.

Trump announced 25% tariffs on imports from India and imposed an unspecified “penalty" for New Delhi’s energy and defence ties with Moscow. He also went on to announce a trade deal with Pakistan, and talked about Islamabad possibly supplying oil to India in the future in the same breath.

He took matters a notch higher and dubbed the Indian economy as “dead".

“I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care," Trump said.

“India’s tariffs are too high, among the highest in the world. All things not good! India will therefore be paying a tariff of 25%, plus a penalty, starting on August 1st," Trump said on social media.

Ashesh Mallick

Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes...Read More

Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes...

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August 02, 2025, 10:34 IST

News india ‘Indian Refiners Continue To Buy Russian Oil’: Sources Refute ‘Pause’ Report Amid Trump's Tirade

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