https://sputniknews.in/20260918/india-backs-energy-ties-with-russia-says-national-interest-comes-first-12343019.html
India Backs Energy Ties with Russia, Says National Interest Comes First
India Backs Energy Ties with Russia, Says National Interest Comes First
Sputnik India
New Delhi has reiterated that its energy purchases, including from Russia, are guided solely by national interest and the needs of 1.4 billion people, while expressing deep concern over rising insecurity in the Red Sea that threatens freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
2026-09-18T19:52+0530
2026-09-18T19:52+0530
2026-09-18T19:52+0530
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As the US House moved to impose 100% tariff on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China, the MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated on Friday that India’s energy sourcing remains guided by national interest.Russia has become one of India’s major crude suppliers since the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi maintains that its purchases are based on energy security and commercial considerations, not geopolitics, and it continues to diversify supply sources.Meanwhile, the MEA warned that Red Sea insecurity threatens navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. A major flashpoint came on 15–16 September when Saudi air defences intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. Riyadh called the attempt a “red line” — the second such incident after 2017 — though the Houthis denied targeting any holy sites.Responding to the situation, Jaiswal said India has been “deeply concerned” about the escalation.He condemned attacks on Saudi territory, including those targeting civilians and economic assets, and said such actions “vitiate regional security” and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab.
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india, red sea, new delhi, houthis, russia, russian oil, oil exporters, oil supplies, oil and gas reserves, power tariff, tariffs
india, red sea, new delhi, houthis, russia, russian oil, oil exporters, oil supplies, oil and gas reserves, power tariff, tariffs
India Backs Energy Ties with Russia, Says National Interest Comes First
India’s energy purchases, including from Russia, are guided by national interest, the Ministry of External Affairs stressed, making clear that that the country will continue securing energy supplies in line with its needs.
As the US House moved to impose 100% tariff on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, including India and China, the MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated on Friday that India’s energy sourcing remains guided by national interest.
“We have clarified our position several times that energy sourcing is based on national interest. Meeting the energy requirements of our 1.4 billion people is an imperative that we have to follow. We continue to buy energy from diversified sources,” Jaiswal said during the weekly press briefing.
Russia has become one of India’s major crude suppliers since the Ukraine conflict. New Delhi maintains that its purchases are based on energy security and commercial considerations, not geopolitics, and it continues to diversify supply sources.
Meanwhile, the MEA warned that Red Sea insecurity threatens navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
A major flashpoint came on 15–16 September when Saudi air defences intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. Riyadh called the attempt a “red line” — the second such incident after 2017 — though the Houthis denied targeting any holy sites.
Responding to the situation, Jaiswal said India has been “deeply concerned” about the escalation.
He condemned attacks on Saudi territory, including those targeting civilians and economic assets, and said such actions “vitiate regional security” and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandab.
“For various reasons, this is totally unacceptable to us. We hope that there is an early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” he concluded.
