FS ties oil buys to national interest

India will maintain multiple sources for crude oil purchases and diversify them to ensure stability in the supply chain with national interests remaining the "guiding factor" for the procurement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday amid a swirling controversy over Washington's claim that New Delhi has agreed to stop importing Russian oil.

- PTI

Misri said the key drivers of the procurement policy are adequate availability, fair pricing, and reliability of supply, remarks seen as an indication that New Delhi is unlikely to snap its energy ties with Moscow. "National interests will be the guiding factor for us in our choices for energy procurement," he said.

The foreign secretary said India's "foremost priority" is to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers and to really ensure that they receive adequate energy at the right price and through reliable and secure supplies.