Russian crude to remain part of energy mix: Jaishankar to Panel

New Delhi: India's dependence on Russia for crude oil and its efforts to help end the Ukraine war figured prominently at a meeting of the External Affairs Ministry's Consultative Committee on Saturday, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveying to MPs that New Delhi remained committed to maintaining its ties with Moscow despite external pressure.

The meeting discussed India-Russia relations against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict, disruptions in West Asian energy supplies and the proposed US tariff on countries importing Russian oil.

It was discussed that around 52% of India's crude imports were coming from Russia, with traditional suppliers in West Asia impacted by the war. Members were also informed that European countries continued to import part of their energy requirements from Russia despite the ongoing conflict.


The discussions also covered India's efforts to facilitate an end to the Ukraine conflict. India has maintained that dialogue and diplomacy remain the way forward, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi having spoken to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leadership.

Jaishankar said in a post on X that India had highlighted its "multifaceted engagement" with Russia in trade, investments, energy, connectivity, culture and people-to-people ties, besides its "active support to dialogue & diplomacy to end the Ukraine conflict" The meeting also discussed concerns over the US proposal to impose a 100% tariff on countries importing Russian oil. MPs raised questions over the implications of the proposed measure for India-Russia trade and energy ties.

Congress MPs Manish Tewari, Mukul Wasnik and Gurjeet Aujla, BJP MPs Vinod Tawde, Vikramjit Sawhney and K Sudhakar, AITC MP Babul Supriyo and CPM MP P Santhosh Kumar were among those present.