Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : Russia’s Sergei Lavrov flags pressure on India as energy politics sharpen globally and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday accused the United States of attempting to block India and other partner countries from purchasing Russian oil, alleging that Washington is using sanctions, tariffs, and direct prohibitions to push its own energy exports and secure economic dominance.
Speaking in an interview with TV BRICS, Lavrov said there were active efforts to prevent India and others from accessing what he described as “cheap, affordable Russian energy resources”, while forcing countries to buy US liquefied natural gas (LNG) at significantly higher prices. His remarks were reported by Sputnik.
Advertisement
Lavrov’s comments come at a time when India has reiterated that its energy decisions are guided solely by national interest, amid reports suggesting a possible recalibration of Russian oil imports. New Delhi has maintained that affordability, availability, and reliability remain the cornerstones of its energy policy.
Lavrov cites Ukraine talks, sanctions and tanker restrictions
Referring to earlier diplomatic engagements, Lavrov recalled discussions with the US on resolving the Ukraine conflict and said Moscow had accepted a proposal put forward during talks held in Anchorage last year.
“They (the US) tell us that the Ukraine problem should be resolved. In Anchorage, we accepted the US proposal… The US position was important to us. By accepting their proposal, we seem to have completed the task of resolving the Ukrainian issue and moving on to a dull-scale, broad-based and mutually beneficial cooperation. So far, the reality is quite the opposite,” he said.
Lavrov alleged that instead of cooperation, Washington had intensified pressure on Russia through new sanctions and restrictions on maritime trade.
“New sanctions are imposed; a ‘war’ against tankers in the open sea is being waged in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They are trying to ban India and our other partners from buying cheap, affordable Russian energy resources (Europe has long been banned) and are forcing them to buy US LNG at exorbitant prices,” he added.
The Russian foreign minister claimed that the US was seeking to control global energy routes as part of a broader strategy to dominate international markets.
‘Coercive measures incompatible with fair competition’
Describing Washington’s approach as coercive, Lavrov said the use of tariffs, sanctions, and direct prohibitions ran counter to the principles of fair competition.
Calling for continued engagement despite tensions, he said Russia remained open to cooperation with major economies.
“We have to take all of this into account while remaining open, just like India, China, Indonesia and Brazil, to cooperation with all countries, including major powers such as the United States. We are in a situation where the Americans themselves are creating artificial obstacles along the way,” he said.
India reiterates energy policy driven by national interest
Hours after Lavrov’s remarks, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri underlined that India’s energy decisions would continue to be guided by national interest.
He said the key drivers of India’s energy policy were “adequate availability, fair pricing and reliability of supply”, particularly as the country remains a net importer of oil and gas.
Misri noted that as a developing economy, India must remain mindful of resource constraints and the inflationary impact of import dependence, adding that protecting consumer interests remains a top government priority.
Earlier, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal clarified that decisions on Russian oil imports are taken independently by domestic buyers and are not influenced by the recently concluded India-US interim trade agreement framework.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Goyal said it was in India’s “strategic interest” to diversify its energy sources and dismissed suggestions of any bilateral consensus dictating procurement choices.
The Ministry of External Affairs has also reiterated that diversification of energy sourcing, in line with market realities and shifting global dynamics, remains central to ensuring long-term energy security for India’s population of 1.4 billion.