New York/Washington, March 11 The US has "temporarily permitted" India to "accept" Russian oil already on ships, aiming to ensure energy supplies amid the conflict with Iran. According to a top White House official, this move underscores that America's allies in India are "reliable partners".
Last week, the US announced a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil, given the escalating West Asia conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and the entire national security team made this decision because India's allies have been reliable and have previously refrained from buying sanctioned Russian oil.
She added, "Therefore, as we work to address this temporary gap in oil supply due to the situation with Iran, we have temporarily permitted India to accept this Russian oil, which is already at sea."
Leavitt clarified that this short-term measure would not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government, as it only allows transactions involving oil that is already stranded at sea.
This statement drew criticism in India, with the Congress suggesting that it was a "concession" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated, "After Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, it is now the turn of President Trump's press secretary to offer Mr. Modi a concession."
Amid the criticism, US Ambassador to Delhi, Sergio Gor, said that India has been a "valuable partner" in maintaining stable oil prices globally.
"The United States recognizes that ongoing purchases of Russian oil are part of this effort. India is one of the largest consumers and refiners of oil, and it is essential for the United States and India to work together to ensure market stability for both," he said on X.
Last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced that President Trump's energy agenda has led to record-high oil and gas production. "To ensure a continuous supply of oil in the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil," he said.
He explained that this "temporary measure" would not provide significant financial benefits to the Russian government, as it only authorizes transactions involving oil that is already stranded at sea.
Bessent stated, "India is an essential partner of the United States, and we fully expect New Delhi to increase its purchases of US oil. This measure will help alleviate the pressure caused by Iran's attempts to control global energy supplies."
Trump had imposed 25% tariffs on India for buying Russian oil, with the administration asserting that New Delhi's purchases were fueling Russia's war against Ukraine.
Last month, the US and India announced a framework for an interim agreement on trade, and Trump issued an Executive Order removing the 25% tariffs on New Delhi, emphasizing India's commitment to stop importing energy directly or indirectly from Moscow and purchasing American energy products.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on X that the US is "allowing our friends in India" to take the Russian oil already on ships in Southern Asia, refine it, and quickly move the stocks to the market to ensure a stable supply and ease pressure amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran.
"We are implementing short-term measures to help keep oil prices down. We are allowing our friends in India to take oil that is already on ships, refine it, and quickly move those barrels into the market. This is a practical way to ensure a stable supply and ease pressure," Wright said.
Wright has said that he and Bessent have spoken with Indian authorities regarding purchasing Russian oil that is floating on waterways, awaiting unloading at Chinese refineries, and transporting it to Indian refineries to "mitigate" concerns over oil shortages and price increases amid the West Asia conflict.
"The United States' policy towards Russia has not changed at all. India is very clear on that," Wright told CNN on Sunday.
When asked whether the Treasury Department's 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil amid the US-Israel conflict was undermining, in the short term, the Trump administration's goal of isolating Russia, Wright said, "It is not."
He said that India has "redirected" all Russian oil imports and is increasing its imports from the US, Venezuela, and other nations.
"India has been a great partner through this. But I also spoke to the Indians, as did Treasury Secretary Bessent, and said, 'Look, there is a lot of oil that is waiting to unload at Chinese refineries'.
"Instead of having it wait six weeks to unload there, let us just take that oil forward, have it land in Indian refineries, and ease the concerns about oil shortages and price spikes. This is a practical effort with a short timeframe. No change in policy towards Russia," he said.