The Geopolitical Implications of India's Purchase of Russian Oil:

New York – In a strong yet diplomatic message, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has urged India to reconsider its continued purchases of discounted Russian crude oil. Speaking at the New York Foreign Press Centre, Wright emphasized that the United States does not seek to punish India, but hopes to align with New Delhi in pressuring Russia to end its military actions in Ukraine. “India buys Russian oil because it's cheaper. Nobody wants to buy Russian oil—they have to sell it at a discount. But that discount is funding a war that kills thousands every week,” Wright said, highlighting the geopolitical implications of India’s oil trade with Moscow. Wright made it clear that Washington envisions a “bright future” with India and views it as a key energy and strategic partner. He reiterated the US stance that New Delhi has alternatives and encouraged India to shift toward other oil-exporting nations—including the United States. “You can buy oil from every nation on Earth—just not Russian oil. That’s our position,” Wright stated. “America has oil to sell. So does everybody else.” No Intention to Punish India, Says Wright While former President Donald Trump’s administration recently imposed hefty tariffs—reportedly as high as 50%—on Indian imports, Wright clarified that these were not designed to punish India. Around 25% of the tariffs are linked to India’s ongoing Russian oil purchases, according to reports. “We don’t want to punish India. We want to end the war, and we want to grow our relationship with India,” said Wright, distancing the Biden administration from any hardline punitive stance. He acknowledged India’s complex position, saying, “India is caught up in the middle of another issue. I believe Indians want this war to end just as much as we do.” India: A Key Energy Ally for the Future Despite tensions over Russian oil, Wright reaffirmed that the United States sees India as a vital partner in energy cooperation. He expressed interest in working more closely with New Delhi on a range of energy solutions including natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, LPG, and clean cooking fuels. “I am a huge fan of India. We love India. We want more trade, more energy cooperation, and stronger ties across the board,” he said. Wright revealed that he met Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar during the US presidential inauguration in January, where both sides discussed expanding energy and trade relations. Finding Common Ground on the Ukraine Conflict Wright acknowledged that resolving the Russia-Ukraine war is a shared goal. He called for greater collaboration between the US, India, and other global partners to apply “maximum pressure” on Moscow to end the conflict. “Where does sanctioned Russian oil go? It goes to China, India, and Turkiye—and that’s helping fund the war,” Wright said, underlining the geopolitical friction. The US message to India remains clear: align strategically, reduce dependency on Russian crude, and open new chapters in US-India energy trade.

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