Moscow Dismisses US Assertion That India Halted Russian Oil Purchases

New Delhi: Russia on Wednesday rejected US suggestions that India has agreed to stop buying Russian crude, saying Moscow sees no indication of a shift in New Delhi’s position and described the trade as mutually beneficial and stabilising for global energy markets.

The statement came against the backdrop of the US's claim that India has agreed to stop importing Russian crude.

Who gave this statement?

While speaking at her weekly briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Wednesday said that India's purchase of Russian hydrocarbons "benefits both countries and helps maintain stability in the international energy market."

"We have no reason to believe that India has changed its position on buying Russian hydrocarbons. India’s purchase of Russian hydrocarbons benefits both countries and helps maintain stability in the international energy market," Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

Zakharova also took aim at the statement  by US President Donald Trump and said that, "There is nothing new in the claims of US President Donald Trump, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who have grabbed the right to dictate to independent nations."

What did the US claim?

The Russian Foreign Ministry remarks came after US claimed that India had committed to halt imports of Russian crude. 

Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil.

While announcing the trade deal with India, Donald Trump had also claimed that New Delhi would no longer buy crude from Russia.

The comments followed after a recent phone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President. 

After the call, both sides announced a reduction in US tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per cent from 50 per cent. The move also included scrapping a 25 per cent duty imposed by Trump last August over India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.