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Following US claims that India has stopped buying oil from Russia, India said it remains consistent with its energy security approach and is open to exploring the commercial merits of importing crude.

Randhir Jaiswal the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated that securing the energy needs of 1.4 billion Indians remains the government’s top priority.

Randhir was addressing his weekly presser on Thursday the 5th of February 2026.

He pointed out that diversifying energy sourcing in line with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of India’s strategy. “All of India’s decisions are taken and will continue to be taken with this objective in mind,” he said.

Responding to a question on buying oil from Venezuela, Jaiswal said, “As far as Venezuela is concerned, it has been a long-standing partner for us in the area of energy, both on the trade side and as also on the investment side.

We were importing energy or crude oil from Venezuela till 2019-20 and thereafter, we had to stop. Again, we started buying oil from Venezuela in 2023-2024, but had to stop which were halted because of the reimposition of sanctions.”

Earlier, Indian public sector undertakings (PSUs) have partnered with Venezuela’s national oil company PDVSA and have maintained a presence in the country since 2008. “Consistent with our energy security approach, India remains open to exploring the commercial merits of any crude supply options,” he added.

On claims by US President Donald Trump that India has stopped buying Russian oil, Jaiswal said, “In so far as India’s energy security or energy sourcing is concerned, the government has stated publicly on several occasions, including by me here, that ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indians is its supreme priority.

Diversifying energy sourcing in keeping with objective market conditions and evolving international dynamics is at the core of our strategy.

All of India’s decisions are taken and will continue to be taken with this objective in mind.”

The statements came after the White House claimed that India has agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil and may increase imports from the United States and potentially Venezuela as part of a new India-US trade agreement.