Former Indian Ambassador: Despite Sanctions, Russia Will Remain India's Major Energy Supplier
Anil Trikha, former Indian ambassador to Jordan, Libya, and Malta, and honorary research fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation, told Sputnik news agency during the expert dialogue of the "Valdai" International Discussion Club that, despite sanctions, Russia will remain India's primary energy supplier, and India is very interested in this cooperation.
The "Valdai" International Discussion Club, in collaboration with the Emanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, held an expert dialogue from June 23 to 24 in Kaliningrad under the theme "From a World War Without Rules to Civilizational Dialogue."
Speaking to Sputnik, the former Indian ambassador said: "Despite sanctions, our (Russia-India) cooperation will continue to develop and expand... Russia is now our main energy supplier... We believe we have choices, and we are making our choice (to cooperate with Russia)."
He also expressed confidence that this cooperation would continue.
He added: "Our actions (of India) are based on our own national interests, and we will not compromise on this issue."
Trikha also emphasized that Western sanctions are essentially ineffective. Experts believe that, in this context, bilateral relations will only grow stronger, largely thanks to the efforts of both countries' leadership.
He noted: "(Russia-India) relations are strengthening increasingly, especially in strategic areas—cooperation in space, nuclear energy, and energy sectors."
Previously, the White House attempted to pressure India into halting oil purchases from Russia, including imposing tariffs on Indian goods. Neither New Delhi nor Moscow has announced any halt to supplies. However, amid U.S. military threats against Iran and the imposition of maritime blockades on the Strait of Hormuz, American authorities quickly issued a general license allowing India to import Russian oil.
In June, Igor Sechin, President of Rosneft, stated that Russia guarantees stable oil supplies to both China and India.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868940406516746/
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