India’s oil imports can be guided by “nationwide pursuits”, mentioned International Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday (February 9, 2026), however didn’t refute U.S. President Donald Trump’s declare that India has dedicated to cease shopping for Russian oil. Mr. Misri’s assertion got here whilst the federal government ready to transient parliamentarians concerning the commerce offers finalised with the European Union and the U.S., in addition to on commerce ties with Bangladesh.
A discover despatched out on Monday (February 9, 2026) mentioned that the Exterior Affairs Ministry will transient the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Exterior Affairs, chaired by senior Congress chief Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday (February 10, 2026). In the meantime, the Opposition stepped up its assault over points surrounding the commerce offers, together with the impression on farmers, and the federal government’s refusal to substantiate or deny Mr. Trump’s assertions.
“What I can firmly and confidently say is that whether or not it’s the authorities or certainly our enterprise [sector], on the finish of the day, nationwide pursuits would be the guiding issue for us in our selections,” Mr. Misri instructed journalists at a briefing meant to debate the go to of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in India. Mr. Misri mentioned that the important thing drivers of India’s vitality coverage are “enough availability, honest pricing, and reliability of provide” calling it a “fairly complicated matrix of points”.
Nonetheless, he didn’t reply or remark straight on the U.S. President’s Government Order issued on Friday (February 6, 2026) that, whereas cancelling punitive 25% tariffs on India, mentioned that India had already begun to cease shopping for Russian oil, and threatened to renew the tariffs if India buys extra.
“Our strategy is to keep up a number of sources of provide and diversify them as acceptable to make sure stability. Due to this fact, I’d say that the extra diversified we’re on this space, the safer we’re,” Mr. Misri added.
Additionally Learn | India dedicated to cease shopping for oil from Russia and get it from U.S., claims Trump as he cancels 25% punitive tariffs
Falling imports
Whereas practically 25% of India’s oil imports are nonetheless being sourced from Russia, India is anticipated to lift its imports from different international locations together with the U.S. and Venezuela. As The Hindu reported final week, India’s purchases of Russian oil had been right down to a 38-month low in December 2025, and quite a few information businesses confirmed on Monday that India’s main refiners Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Reliance Industries have to date prevented advance orders for the month of April totally.
Up to now, nonetheless, the federal government has neither confirmed nor denied the U.S.’s competition that it has agreed to ending its Russian oil imports. When requested final week concerning the deal, Exterior Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar fielded inquiries to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, whereas Mr. Goyal mentioned that questions on Russian oil can be answered by the Exterior Affairs Ministry.
“On the Russian oil subject and the India-U.S. commerce deal – the Commerce Minister says, ask the Exterior Affairs Minister, the Exterior Affairs Minister says ask the Commerce Minister, and the Petroleum Minister is preoccupied with different points,” Congress normal secretary Jairam Ramesh mentioned in a publish, including that this contrasted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coverage of a “entire of presidency” strategy.
Additionally Learn | Guaranteeing vitality safety of Indians is prime precedence, says MEA after U.S. declare on Russian oil buy
As well as, the Ministry is anticipated to discipline questions from the members of the parliamentary committee on the impression of the FTA with the EU and the joint assertion with the U.S.
In a pre‑briefing notice to the panel, the Ministry shared particulars of the EU settlement, as properly of commerce figures with Bangladesh. Underscoring the importance of the deal, the federal government mentioned the EU is properly‑positioned to form “worldwide requirements and narratives”. India and the EU, it added, at the moment are “pure and most well-liked companions”.
The Ministry highlighted that over the previous two years, there have been greater than 30 visits on the head‑of‑state or government-level between India and Europe, together with greater than 150 ministerial‑stage engagements. Underneath the FTA with the EU, India has secured preferential entry to European markets throughout 97% of tariff traces, overlaying 99.5% of commerce worth, it mentioned.
The Ministry notice on U.S. commerce outlined the advantages of the commerce deal being negotiated. Whereas it talked about Mr. Trump’s government order, it omitted mentions of the contentious parts, together with the Indian “dedication” on ending oil imports from Russia.
On Bangladesh, the Ministry is anticipated to elucidate the downturn in buying and selling ties and connectivity because of tensions in bilateral relations with the Yunus administration in Dhaka, with hopes of a reset as soon as an elected authorities is in place after elections on February 12. In keeping with the figures, India’s exports to Bangladesh got here down from $11 bn in 2024-25 to $8bn within the 12 months 2025-26 until date.
Revealed – February 09, 2026 10:19 pm IST
