Among the top buyers of Russian oil and gas are Germany, Italy, France, and the Netherlands. India’s dependence on imported energy should not be politicised, says source
An informed source said India’s energy sector was dependent on large imports and that the country’s dependence on imported energy should not be “politicised.”
“Countries with oil self-sufficiency or those importing themselves from Russia cannot credibly advocate restrictive trading,” said the source, indirectly responding to the growing Western pressure to stop import of oil and gas from Russia.
The Hindu had earlier reported that India’s energy majors had moved ahead with purchasing oil and gas from Russia being supplied at a “discount.”
The assertion of India’s position came as international demand increased on India to stop purchase of Russian energy. The issue is expected to feature in talks during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s March 19-20 visit for the 14th India-Japan summit. In a statement issued on Friday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, Ukraine will be in the agenda during his virtual meeting with Prime Minister Modi on March 21. The issue is expected to arise also during the visit of British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss which is likely later this month. All the three countries — Australia, Japan and the UK — have imposed sanctions on Russia.