Russia Assures India of Energy Supplies Despite the US Bid to Curb Exports
Sergey Lavrov India visit. Image courtesy: @DrSJaishankar
Russia has assured India that it will continue to meet all energy commitments toward India despite the “unfair and dishonest competition” against its exports.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who was in India ahead of the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting, said Russia would ensure India’s energy interests were not affected, while accusing the US of attempting to dominate energy markets and disrupting Russian supply chains.
Lavrov, who was speaking to broadcaster RT India, also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “one of the most energetic leaders” globally and reaffirmed the strength of India-Russia ties.
He said Modi was focused on strengthening India’s sovereignty across sectors, including defence, economy, and culture.
“I can guarantee that India’s interests as they apply to Russian supplies will not suffer. We will do everything to ensure that this unfair and dishonest competition does not damage our agreements,” he said.
Lavrov noted that Russia had “never failed to fulfil its obligations” to India or other partners in the energy sector, highlighting the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu as the flagship Indo-Russian project.
He said cooperation on new power units was continuing, noting that “India needs more. We continue supplying hydrocarbons such as gas, oil, and coal.”
Lavrov repeatedly underlined the depth of India-Russia ties, saying there was “no scenario” in which relations between the two countries would diverge.
“A situation where our paths diverge simply does not exist…it is unthinkable,” he said, describing the relationship as rooted in friendship.
At the same time, Lavrov accused the United States of forcing Russian firms like Lukoil and Rosneft out of international supply chains. “The United States has adopted doctrinal documents proclaiming that it must dominate global energy markets,” he said in another interview.
“They want to bring every significant energy supply route under their control,” he added.
