Foreign Secretary Misri doesn’t refute Trump’s claims, says ‘national interests’ guide oil imports

Foreign Secretary Misri emphasizes national interests in oil imports, addressing Trump's claims amid upcoming trade discussions with the EU and U.S.

India’s oil imports will be guided by “national interests”, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday (February 9, 2026), but did not refute U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that India has committed to stop buying Russian oil. Mr. Misri’s statement came even as the government prepared to brief parliamentarians about the trade deals finalised with the European Union and the U.S., as well as on trade ties with Bangladesh.

A notice sent out on Monday (February 9, 2026) said that the External Affairs Ministry will brief the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, on Tuesday (February 10, 2026). Meanwhile, the Opposition stepped up its attack over issues surrounding the trade deals, including the impact on farmers, and the government’s refusal to confirm or deny Mr. Trump’s assertions.

“What I can firmly and confidently say is that whether it is the government or indeed our business [sector], at the end of the day, national interests will be the guiding factor for us in our choices,” Mr. Misri told journalists at a briefing meant to discuss the visit of Seychelles President Patrick Herminie in India. Mr. Misri said that the key drivers of India’s energy policy are “adequate availability, fair pricing, and reliability of supply” calling it a “rather complex matrix of issues”.

However, he did not respond or comment directly on the U.S. President’s Executive Order issued on Friday (February 6, 2026) that, while cancelling punitive 25% tariffs on India, said that India had already begun to stop buying Russian oil, and threatened to resume the tariffs if India buys more.

“Our approach is to maintain multiple sources of supply and diversify them as appropriate to ensure stability. Therefore, I would say that the more diversified we are in this area, the more secure we are,” Mr. Misri added.

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