Kremlin Has Received No Official Word on India Halting Russian Oil Purchases, Says Spokesperson

Kathmandu. Russia's presidential office, the Kremlin, has stated that it has not yet received any official statement regarding India halting the purchase of Russian oil.

The Kremlin's reaction came after US President Donald Trump claimed that India had agreed to stop buying Russian oil as part of a trade agreement with the US.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that no clear information has come from the Indian government on this matter, stating that no assumptions can be made until a formal decision is announced from Delhi.

Peskov mentioned that Russia respects the bilateral relationship between the US and India, but emphasized that the long-term and advanced strategic partnership between Russia and India is considered equally important.

He expressed Russia's commitment to continuously strengthening its relationship with India in the future. On the other hand, US President Trump had announced a new trade understanding with India, stating that in exchange for reducing tariffs on Indian goods, India would stop purchasing Russian oil and reduce trade barriers.

Following the start of the Ukraine war, India became a major buyer of discounted Russian crude oil, leading to criticism from Western countries.

These countries are attempting to reduce Russia's revenue for funding the war by imposing sanctions on Russia's energy sector. Amidst such international pressure and diplomatic activities, India's official stance has not yet been made public, making this issue a focal point of global political interest.