(MENAFN) Crude oil shipments from Russia to India remain uninterrupted, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko said Monday, reaffirming Moscow’s commitment to its energy partnership with New Delhi.

Rudenko’s remarks followed US President Donald Trump’s recent assertion that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had “assured” him India would stop buying Russian oil during a phone call between the two leaders. “Everything continues,” Rudenko told reporters.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said last week he was “not aware” of any such conversation between Modi and Trump. His comments came shortly after India reiterated that its energy import policies are guided by the goal of protecting domestic consumers in an unpredictable global energy market.

Since 2022, India has significantly increased imports of Russian crude. By late September, Russia was India’s largest oil supplier, delivering around 1.6 million barrels per day—roughly one-third of India’s total crude imports, according to shipping data.

Indian private refiners have benefited from discounted Russian oil, re-exporting refined products to European markets.

In August, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on India, claiming its purchases of Russian oil were aiding Moscow’s continuation of the war in Ukraine.

Last week, during Russia Energy Week, Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak said he remained confident that energy cooperation between Russia and India would continue.

MENAFN21102025000045017640ID1110225857