Russia has expressed confidence that the country can continue supplying crude oil to India despite growing international sanctions pressure, news agency Reuters reported on Wednesday, quoting top Russian officials as saying in New Delhi. Roman Babushkin, the Charge d’Affaires at the Russian Embassy, told Reuters that Russia has a “very, very special mechanism” to ensure that oil deliveries remain uninterrupted.
Speaking at a press conference in the capital, Babushkin reportedly said, “India’s crude oil imports from Russia will remain at the same level.”
The Russian official’s remarks come at a time when New Delhi is facing pressure from Western allies — particularly the US — for continuing to purchase oil from Moscow amid Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Modi-Putin Meeting Expected Later This Year
Meanwhile, Babushkin also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India and meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi before the end of 2025. “No dates have been finalised yet,” he noted.
His remarks came as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to Russia, co-chaired the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission (IRIGC).
Trade Relations Strong Despite Sanctions
Meanwhile, Russia’s Deputy Trade Representative to India Evgeniy Griva has said that trade between the two nations is expected to grow by around 10% annually, news agency ANI reported. “Indian exports to Russia are growing bigger and faster. Export of machine tools, electronic devices, pharma and chemicals is big,” Griva reportedly said.
He also addressed price concerns in the wake of President Donald Trump-imposed US tariff threats, saying that oil import prices “may be subject to a five percent swing,” depending on negotiations.
Highlighting the growing financial cooperation between the two countries, especially via rupee-ruble payments, Griva further said, “Despite external pressures, the financial cooperation remains secure.”
Sanctions ‘Weaponising the Economy’
Commenting on sanctions, Babushkin reportedly said, “Non-United Nations sanctions and secondary sanctions are illegal. They weaponise the economy,” while also emphasising that the Russian economy remains “resilient”, despite what he described as “tremendous sanction pressure.”
Such pressure has only increased cooperation between India and Russia, Griva added.
