OIL IMPORT DECLINE IS TEMPORARY: KREMLIN

The Kremlin on Tuesday said the recent decline in India's imports of Russian oil may last only "a brief period," as Moscow prepares to boost supplies by using advanced technology to counter the impact of Western sanctions.

- Agencies

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, speaking to Indian journalists via a video link organised by Russia's Sputnik news agency, said Russia remains confident about sustaining energy ties with India. His remarks come ahead of President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to New Delhi starting Thursday, during which defence, energy cooperation and payment mechanisms are expected to dominate discussions.

India’s crude purchases from Russia are set to fall this month to at least a three-year low, driven largely by pressure from US sanctions on Russian oil majors, including Rosneft.