India on Saturday reiterated that it has never relied on permission from any country to purchase Russian oil, even as the United States recently issued a temporary waiver allowing certain shipments to continue.

The Centre said India’s energy strategy remains focused on securing crude oil at the most competitive prices while maintaining stable supplies despite rising tensions in global shipping routes.

India continues Russian oil imports

According to the government, India continues to import Russian crude and has done so consistently throughout the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Officials said Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier, with imports rising significantly after 2022 due to discounted prices and the demand from domestic refineries.

“India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil,” the Centre said in a statement, adding that purchases are based on affordability and national interest.

Energy supplies remain secure

The government said India’s energy supply remains stable despite disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz route amid tensions linked to the Iran-US-Israel conflict.

To strengthen energy security, India has expanded its crude oil sourcing network from 27 countries to 40 countries, creating multiple supply options.

The Centre also said the country currently holds more than 250 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products across its reserves and supply chain. This stockpile provides a buffer equivalent to around seven to eight weeks of consumption.

India’s refining capacity stands at 258 million metric tonnes per annum, which the government said exceeds current domestic demand.

US waiver and global oil market volatility

The United States on Thursday temporarily eased sanctions on Russia to allow oil already loaded on vessels at sea to be sold to India.

Officials in New Delhi said describing the waiver as enabling such purchases overlooks the fact that the trade has continued for years.

“India is a net exporter of refined products to the world — a position that reinforces, not undermines, its energy security,” the Centre said.

Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East have affected global oil markets. Military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, along with retaliatory strikes by Tehran across the Gulf region, have disrupted shipping routes and energy flows.

Global oil prices surged 8.5 per cent on Friday and had climbed nearly 30 per cent over the previous week, following remarks by US President Donald Trump that the conflict would end only with Iran’s “unconditional surrender”.

Earlier in February, Washington removed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian exports under an interim trade agreement. The US administration said the decision followed a commitment by India to halt Russian oil purchases. However, no such commitment appears in the joint statement issued at the time, and the Indian government has not confirmed or denied the claim.

Former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has said that one of the biggest mistakes made by US President Donald Trump so far has been the way he handled relations with India.

Speaking in an interview with media, Abbott said he does not fully support Trump’s foreign policy approach and highlighted several steps that, in his view, unnecessarily strained ties with New Delhi.

Abbott said these included the imposition of punitive tariffs on Indian goods, claims by Trump that he had mediated tensions between India and Pakistan, and the hosting of Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir at the White House.

According to Abbott, these actions “gratuitously alienated” India, particularly given New Delhi’s longstanding concerns about terrorism originating from Pakistan.

Tariff dispute and trade deal

Tensions between the United States and India had earlier escalated after Washington imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on several Indian products. An additional 25 per cent levy was also linked to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

However, a trade agreement announced by Trump in February signalled a partial easing of those tensions. Under the arrangement, the US reduced tariffs on several Indian goods.

Trump said the decision followed a commitment from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt purchases of oil from Russia while the war in Ukraine continued.

The agreement helped ease months of friction between the two countries over energy purchases, which Washington had argued were helping fund the ongoing conflict.

Trump has also repeatedly referred to his close personal ties with Modi, describing the Indian leader as one of his greatest friends.

Abbott comments on Middle East conflict

Abbott also spoke about the uncertainty surrounding the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

He said it was impossible to predict whether the situation would lead to a regime change in Tehran, noting that the current leadership still enjoys support among sections of the Iranian population.

At the same time, Abbott suggested that the weakening of Iran’s nuclear capabilities could significantly limit the country’s ability to project aggression in the future.

He also said the intensity of the conflict could gradually decline.

According to Abbott, Iranian attacks had already reduced compared to earlier phases of the conflict, while Israeli and American strikes had intensified and largely focused on regime facilities rather than civilian infrastructure.

Fresh attacks reported

In the hours following his remarks, Iran launched new missiles and drones targeting Israel and several Gulf countries hosting US military bases.

Explosions were reported inside Israel as air defence systems intercepted incoming projectiles.

Countries including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also reported attacks.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that military confrontation alone cannot resolve global disputes, stressing that dialogue, diplomacy and respect for the rule of law remain essential to end ongoing conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the escalating tensions in West Asia.

Speaking at a joint press briefing in New Delhi with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the Prime Minister said India and Finland share a common view that peaceful engagement is the only sustainable path to resolve international crises.

“India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue and diplomacy. We agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone. Whether it is Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the swift end of conflicts and every effort towards peace,” PM Modi said.

Call for reform in global institutions

Highlighting the changing global landscape, the Prime Minister also stressed the need to reform international institutions so that they can effectively address emerging global challenges.

“We also agree that reforming global institutions to address growing global challenges is not only necessary but urgent. Eliminating terrorism in all its forms is our shared commitment,” he said.

Middle East tensions intensify

The Prime Minister’s remarks came at a time when tensions in the Middle East have sharply escalated. The conflict began after a joint US-Israel strike reportedly killed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei earlier this week.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting Israel and locations across the Gulf region. The situation has also drawn in Hezbollah, the Iran-backed group based in Lebanon, widening concerns about a broader regional conflict.

Impact on the wider global situation

The ripple effects of the escalating Middle East tensions are being felt globally, including in Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion has continued for four years.

Referring to the broader geopolitical climate, PM Modi said the world is currently facing instability and uncertainty, with conflicts affecting several regions.

“Today the world is going through a period of instability and uncertainty. Conflict persists in many parts of the world, from Ukraine to West Asia,” he said.

India and Europe entering stronger partnership phase

The Prime Minister also highlighted the strengthening relationship between India and Europe, pointing to the historic trade agreement signed with the European Union earlier this year.

According to him, growing cooperation between India and Europe is helping reinforce global stability, development and shared prosperity.

“In such a global environment, India and Europe, two of the world’s major diplomatic powers, are entering a golden era of their relationship. Our growing cooperation is giving new strength to global stability, development and shared prosperity,” PM Modi said.