US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an exclusive interview with India Today, underlined that relying heavily on a single crude oil supplier could leave countries vulnerable to disruptions.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
New Delhi,Oct 22, 2026 17:34 IST
India's move to diversify crude oil imports was driven by its own interests, and not due to American pressure, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. In an exclusive interview with India Today, Rubio, who is on a three-day India visit, underlined that relying heavily on a single supplier could leave countries vulnerable to disruptions.
"India has made real progress in diversifying its energy portfolio. It has done so not because of threats or anything of that nature," Rubio said. The issue is particularly sensitive for India, whose purchases of Russian crude have been a point of friction with Donald Trump.
US ON INDIA'S RUSSIAN OIL PURCHASE
Last year, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, taking the total levy to 50%, citing New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. Washington claimed the revenue was sustaining Moscow's war in Ukraine, with Trump's aide Peter Navarro even calling India a "laundromat for the Kremlin". The additional tariff was removed earlier this year.
It came as India expanded its crude oil imports amid geopolitical tensions, even though Russia remains its largest supplier. However, data shows that Russia's share of India's oil purchases has declined to 33.5% from 46.6%. Imports of Middle Eastern crude have surged, Reuters reported.
Last week, Union Minister Hardeep Puri asserted that India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil requirement, has widened its supply network from 27 countries to 41.
The government has always maintained that India's energy procurement decisions were guided by national interests and the need to ensure affordable and reliable supplies for its citizens.
Rubio said India's strategy should not be seen simply as an effort to cut Russian oil imports.
"It is not so much about buying less Russian oil as it is about buying more US crude or Venezuelan or others from the Western Hemisphere. I think that's in India's interests and obviously we want to help facilitate it," he said.
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