New Delhi - Saba:
India has continued to buy oil from Russia, while state-owned oil refineries are negotiating to purchase additional quantities of Russian energy carriers despite Washington's threat.
The ANI newspaper reported that Indian companies such as Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) are continuing to buy oil from Russian suppliers.
The Indian newspaper indicated that negotiations are currently underway to conclude immediate deals, despite the European Union's sanctions on Russia and US President Donald Trump's criticism of New Delhi for its large purchases of Russian energy carriers.
Sources from the newspaper reported that Indian oil refineries have purchased two batches of Russian oil in the past few days at higher than usual discounts.
The newspaper stated: "Indian oil marketing companies are currently negotiating supplies from Russia. There is no decision to slow or halt oil supplies from Russia, nor is there a decision to halt imports."
For his part, an Indian government source confirmed that his government has not directed Indian oil refineries to stop purchasing Russian oil or to seek other energy suppliers instead of Russia.
Trump had previously stated that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia in order to reach a trade agreement with the United States.
He noted that India, along with China, is the largest importer of Russian energy resources and announced that he would impose a 25% tariff on imports from India to the United States.
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