US Envoy Confirms India's Oil Diversification Pledge in Finalizing Trade Agreement
In a significant development at the Global AI Summit in New Delhi, United States envoy Sergio Gor has publicly reaffirmed Washington's stance regarding India's oil procurement strategies. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Gor expressed confidence that India is actively diversifying its oil sourcing away from Russia, aligning with commitments made during recent trade negotiations between the two nations.
Clear Stance on Russian Oil Purchases
Gor emphasized President Donald Trump's unwavering position, stating unequivocally that "the United States does not want any country to buy Russian oil." He elaborated on this directive by explaining that President Trump seeks to end the ongoing conflict and believes that continued economic engagement with Russia prolongs hostilities. "The President has been very clear on this—he wants this war to end," Gor told assembled reporters.
The US envoy specifically addressed India's role in this geopolitical equation, noting that "there's an agreement" regarding oil diversification. "We have seen India diversify their oil. There is a commitment," Gor stated, while clarifying that this policy isn't uniquely targeted at India but represents a broader US strategy to reduce global dependence on Russian energy exports.
Venezuelan Oil Negotiations Underway
In a revealing disclosure, Gor confirmed that active negotiations are currently in progress for potential Venezuelan oil supplies to India. "The department of energy is speaking to the ministry of energy here, and we're hoping to have some news on that very soon," he announced. This development suggests Washington is facilitating alternative energy partnerships for India as part of the broader trade agreement framework.
Trade Deal Nearing Completion
The comprehensive trade agreement between India and the United States is reportedly in its final stages. Gor indicated that only "a few tweaking points" remain before the deal can be formally signed, predicting it would happen "sooner rather than later." This agreement follows nearly a year of intensive negotiations between the world's two major democratic economies.
Under the terms of this landmark trade deal:
- The Trump administration has substantially reduced tariffs on Indian goods
- Punitive trade measures linked to India's oil trade with Russia have been lifted
- Tariffs have been lowered from 50% to 18% on affected items
Geopolitical Context and Diplomatic Engagements
The United States has consistently opposed purchases of Russian oil by other nations, arguing that such transactions indirectly support Russia's military operations in Ukraine. President Trump has repeatedly positioned himself as committed to resolving the conflict and has advocated for global energy decoupling from Russia as part of this strategy.
Gor also addressed the possibility of high-level diplomatic engagements between the two nations, revealing that President Trump has received an invitation to visit India from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. While no specific dates were confirmed, Gor suggested such a meeting would occur "at the right time," indicating ongoing coordination between the two governments.
The US has maintained that India would naturally reduce its dependence on Russian oil following the conclusion of the trade deal earlier this month. This expectation forms part of Washington's broader strategy to economically isolate Russia while strengthening trade partnerships with key allies like India.
