Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak. File | Photo Credit: Reuters

Russia is assured that its power cooperation with India will “proceed”, the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated on Thursday, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed New Delhi assured him of stopping buy of oil from Russia.

“We continue to cooperate with our friendly partners. Our energy resource is in demand. It is economically viable and feasible,” Mr. Novak, who takes care of Russia’s power sector, was quoted as saying by the impartial Interfax information company.

“….I’m assured that our companions will proceed to work with us, work together, and develop power cooperation,” he stated.

Mr. Novak made the remarks in response to Mr. Trump’s declare that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India would cease shopping for Russian crude.

The U.S. president claimed that whereas India might not be capable to minimize the procurement instantly, the method has began.

“We’re solely seeing indicators within the press at the moment that our companions are declaring that nobody can dictate to them, and that they’ll select their very own path,” Mr. Novak stated.

In response to Trump’s oil commerce claims, India on Thursday stated it’s “broad-basing and diversifying” its power sourcing to fulfill market situations, stressing that its import insurance policies are guided totally by nationwide curiosity.

Russia is among the many high suppliers of crude oil to India.

On Wednesday, Mr. Novak stated that India is principally paying for Russian oil in roubles, however has began funds within the Chinese forex yuan.

Traditionally reliant on Middle Eastern oil, India considerably elevated its imports from Russia following the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. Western sanctions and diminished European demand made Russian oil out there at steep reductions.

In the primary seven months of 2025, Russian crude oil exports amounted to 87.5 million tonnes, or 36.4% of India’s whole imports, in response to Interfax.

Russian President Vladimir Putin just lately stated that he had ordered the federal government to take steps to mitigate the commerce imbalance with India.

Published – October 17, 2025 02:03 am IST