Rubio Claims India Committed to Halt Russian Oil Purchases

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced at the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, that India has committed to stop purchasing additional Russian oil. This claim aligns with a trade framework announced by President Donald Trump on February 2, in which the U.S. rolled back a 25 percent tariff penalty imposed on India in August. The Trump administration asserts that India agreed to halt Russian oil imports and increase U.S. imports in exchange for the tariff relief.

However, the Indian government has challenged the U.S. narrative. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized India's commitment to strategic autonomy, stating that national interests and market factors guide energy procurement. Misri further noted that India would maintain diverse crude oil sources to ensure supply chain stability. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also dismissed the reports, stating the Indian government never made such an assurance.

Despite the U.S. claims, Russia currently provides nearly 35 percent of India's crude oil, while U.S. crude accounts for approximately 10 percent.