New Delhi: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India is diversifying its crude oil imports in its own interest, not because of American pressure, according to media reports.
In an interview, Rubio said India had made progress in diversifying its energy sources, adding that dependence on a single supplier could leave countries vulnerable to disruptions.
India’s purchases of Russian crude have been a point of friction with Washington. US President Donald Trump last year imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over the purchases, taking the total levy to 50%. The additional tariff was removed earlier this year.
Russia’s share of India’s oil imports has declined to 33.5% from 46.6%, while imports from the Middle East have increased.
Rubio said India’s strategy was not simply about reducing Russian oil purchases but also about sourcing more crude from the US, Venezuela and other countries in the Western Hemisphere.
He praised India’s refining capacity, saying the country could expand it through further investment. During a visit to Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar complex on Wednesday, Rubio described India as a “refining superpower”.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said last week that India had expanded its crude oil supply network from 27 countries to 41. India imports more than 80% of its crude oil requirements.
Rubio also defended Trump’s decision to ease certain energy-related restrictions, saying additional global supplies could help address high diesel prices.
