US seeks to include India’s Russian oil buys in trade talks

‘US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch pressed issue with Indian team in a meeting on Tuesday’

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The US has sought to bring India’s oil purchases from Russia into negotiations on a trade deal, people familiar with the matter said, even as the South Asian nation’s refiners ramp up those imports to meet rising domestic demand.

A US team led by Assistant ‘Trade Representative Brendan Lynch pressed the issue with Indian negotiators in a meeting on Tuesday, the people said, asking not to be identified as the information isn't public.

The demand is unusual, since a nation’s ties with a third country are rarely part of bilateral trade talks.

India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry didn't respond to a request for comment.