Kremlin Unveils India’s Bold Energy Play: Buying Where Profitable, Defying Pressure

The Kremlin's latest statement highlights India's strategic autonomy in global energy markets. On December 8, 2025, spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized during a briefing that India, as a sovereign nation, conducts foreign trade operations by sourcing energy where it benefits economically most. This comes after the December 5 India-Russia Annual Summit, where President Putin pledged uninterrupted fuel supplies—oil, gas, coal, and nuclear—to support India's booming economy, countering U.S. pressures under President Trump to curb Russian crude imports.​

 

India has emerged as a top buyer of discounted Russian oil, saving billions while diversifying supplies via non-sanctioned channels, as state refiners like IOC and BPCL secure January cargoes. Both nations aim to elevate bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, with 96% now in national currencies, spanning nuclear projects like Kudankulam and new pacts on labour mobility and critical minerals. Peskov's remarks signal Moscow's confidence in sustained partnership.​

 

Key Highlights

Sources: Marketscreener, Iz.ru, Reuters, Indian Express​