India has faced no pressure from the United States to reduce its Russian crude imports, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday at an industry event in Goa, Reuters reported. Asked whether there had been pressure to cut Russian oil imports, Puri said: "I never felt anything."

Source: Reuters

Puri said India was getting 0.2 per cent of its oil imports from Russia before the Ukraine war, while imports surged after the war started because of discounts on Russian oil, Reuters reported. Purchases of Russian oil are linked to discounts and pricing compared with other grades, he said, adding: "Whatever people say or do, ultimately it is anchored in their self-interest."

Source: Reuters

Middle East oil supplies have been rising as the region is able to ship out more cargoes, Puri said. India's imports of Middle Eastern crude surged in September, returning to pre-war levels, while its refiners cut back purchases of Russian oil amid stiff competition from China, ship-tracking data showed, according to Reuters. Russian oil imports have been reduced as refiners buy more Gulf oil sold at a discount, Puri added.

Source: Reuters

The minister also said India is expanding its refining capacity to help meet local demand and export commitments, Reuters reported.

Source: Reuters