Starmer says he raised issue of Russian oil with Modi

Sir Keir Starmer directly raised the issue of India buying Russian oil when he met Narendra Modi during his trade mission to India, the prime minister has said.

- DAVID LYNCH

The Indian leader has described himself as a friend of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, putting him at odds with Sir Keir over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. India continues to buy oil from Russia, even as the West ratchets up sanctions aimed at crippling its war effort.

Speaking after he and Mr Modi met at Raj Bhavan, a state residence in Mumbai, Sir Keir suggested the pair had spoken about moving India away from reliance on fossil fuels. He was then asked by journalists whether he directly raised the issue of India buying Russian oil in his meeting with Mr Modi.

The prime minister said: “Yes, we did discuss that this morning with President Modi, and we each went through the steps we’re taking to bring about a resolution of the conflict. We emphasised, in particular, our focus on the shadow fleet and the work that we’re doing leading the coalition of the willing.”

Moscow uses this “shadow fleet” to illicitly sell oil and gas around the world and evade sanctions.