India waits for clear US signals on how Russian oil curbs will play out

Trade pact talks stay the course; need more clarity on crude oil sanctions, say officials

- - JAYANTH JACOB @ New Delhi

AS trade pact negotiations gain traction, India is pressing for a fair deal and clearer signals from Washington on sanctions related to Russian oil. In a key meeting India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, met US Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly to review the India-US energy security partnership and recent trends in bilateral energy trade.

Sources said the talks also touched on how impending US sanctions could affect global oil flows, even as supplies remain stable. "These are early days and we need more clarity on the sanctions that's part of the ongoing conversation with the US. Our energy security is paramount and guided by market conditions, national interests, and domestic requirements," a source familiar with the issue said.