Don’t want to punish India, but… US Energy Secretary on Russian oil imports

On Wednesday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright encouraged India to think twice before buying Russian oil, pointing out that New Delhi has many other options. By claiming that purchasing Russian crude indirectly contributes to atrocities in Ukraine and presents chances for greater energy cooperation between Washington and New Delhi, Wright presented the matter as a morally and strategically sound decision.

Our intention is not to penalize India. You can purchase oil from any country in the world, but not from Russia. That’s where we stand. During a press conference at the New York Foreign Press Centre, Wright responded to a question by saying, “America has oil to sell, so does everybody else.”

#WATCH | Speaking to ANI on India-Russia oil trade, Secretary for the US Department of Energy, Chris Wright says, “There are lots of oil exporters in the world. India doesn’t need to buy Russian oil. India buys Russian oil because it is cheaper. Nobody wants to buy Russian oil;… pic.twitter.com/6hW8o61BYO

— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2025

The world is home to numerous oil exporters. India is not required to purchase Russian oil. India purchases Russian oil due to its lower price. Russian oil must be sold at a discount since no one wants to purchase it,” he continued.

According to him, India is a “star” in sustainable energy projects, but it decided to forego this and buy cheaper oil instead, giving Vladimir putin more money.

The secretary emphasized that Moscow continues to use sanctioned Russian energy to fund its fight in nations like china, India, and Turkey. That’s the source of friction. Ending that war is what we want. “I think the Indians want to end that war,” he continued.

Wright’s comments coincide with the United States imposing 50% tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil in response to claims that Moscow’s military effort is financed in part by the sale of discounted Russian oil.

India, meanwhile, has maintained that its energy strategy is guided by national interest and market dynamics, turning to discounted Russian oil after Western sanctions restricted supply.

The White House official said he believes India shares the US goal of ending the war and stressed that Washington sees New Delhi as an “awesome ally” and key partner in global energy trade.

Wright emphasized that the US is keen to increase energy collaboration with India in a number of areas, such as clean cooking fuels, coal, nuclear, and natural gas. “I love India a lot.” We love India. We look forward to more energy trade, more interactions back and forth with India,” he said.

“A lot of my early time when I arrived in my position was dealing with India, the world’s largest democracy, an awesome ally of the United States, a fast-growing economy, and a truly dynamic society, which has rapidly growing energy demand as its citizens’ prosperity rises,” Wright said in reflection of his early tenure.