New Delhi: Russia has expressed its determination to continue selling oil to India despite US threats to impose tariffs over New Delhi’s purchases of Russian crude.
Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov criticised Washington’s proposed tariff measures, saying countries imposing sanctions and tariffs had chosen pressure tactics instead of cooperation and were therefore unable to offer India a better oil deal than Russia.
The Russian ambassador warned that global energy markets would struggle to cope with the consequences if Russian oil were prevented from reaching international markets.
He indicated that Moscow intends to continue its energy cooperation and oil supplies to India despite external pressure.
Separately, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Iran could eventually become part of the Makkah defence alliance.
Lavrov said the inclusion of Egypt and Algeria in the Makkah agreement would also be a positive development and a practical step towards implementing a concept proposed by Russia.
US President Donald Trump warned last year that heavy tariffs on India would remain in place if New Delhi did not halt purchases of Russian oil.
Following US pressure, an Indian company had also decided to stop purchasing Russian crude.
