“India Is Reducing Russian Oil Imports”: US Official Tells Congress, Cites Shift Toward American Energy

Washington: A senior US diplomat has told lawmakers that India is steadily cutting back on its purchases of Russian crude and expanding its energy partnerships elsewhere, including with the United States.

Testifying before a House subcommittee on South and Central Asia, S. Paul Kapur, Assistant Secretary of State for the region, said New Delhi has been adjusting its sourcing strategy over time. “The Indians have been reducing their purchases of Russian oil and diversifying away, which is what we wanted them to do. India has increased imports of US energy,” he told members of Congress.

Kapur suggested that a combination of American energy supplies and imports from other global producers could provide India with a sustainable alternative to Russian crude.

The issue was raised during questioning by Republican Congressman Keith Self, who voiced concern that continued Russian oil sales were helping finance Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. Self asked how Washington intended to verify whether India had meaningfully reduced its reliance on Russian oil, pointing to complex trading mechanisms such as third-party intermediaries, blended shipments, ship-to-ship transfers, and so-called “ghost fleets” that can obscure the origin of crude.

When asked about enforcement, Kapur declined to provide operational specifics. “I won’t be in the enforcement business,” he said, adding that such matters would likely fall under other departments. He acknowledged that he did not have detailed information on how compliance would be tracked but expressed willingness to remain in contact with lawmakers on the issue.

While Kapur did not present detailed data during the hearing, he maintained that India’s evolving import mix broadly aligns with US strategic objectives. Beyond energy, he highlighted ongoing defence cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, noting that several potential arms deals are under discussion. He said such agreements would strengthen India’s ability to safeguard its sovereignty while also supporting American industry and jobs.

The discussion also expanded to the broader Indo-Pacific strategy of the United States. Kapur emphasized that a strong and self-reliant India serves American interests. He told lawmakers that Washington’s objective is not to exclude China from the region but to prevent any single power from dominating it or using coercive leverage over smaller nations.