Indian refiners signal reduction in Russian oil imports: US lawmaker

Indian oil refiners are signalling plans to reduce purchases of Russian crude following sustained US diplomatic pressure, Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said after concluding a two-week intelligence visit to South Asia, though the Indian government has not confirmed any such reductions.

- Shashank Mattoo

Fitzpatrick, who chairs the CIA Subcommittee within the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, visited India, Pakistan and Nepal alongside Democratic Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, meeting with India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval during their trip.

“Following these engagements and sustained US pressure, Indian refiners are signalling plans to reduce imports of Russian oil — a consequential shift that directly undermines Moscow's ability to finance its war in Ukraine,” Fitzpatrick’s office said in a statement.

“This development underscores the impact of principled American leadership and high level diplomatic engagement,” it added.