Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has repeatedly accused the United States of pressuring countries to stop buying Russian oil, calling such actions unfair. He argued that more nations should import energy from Russia. Meanwhile, Ajay Srivastava, former Indian trade official and head of the Global Trade Research Initiative, voiced concern over India’s energy security, noting that the country imports about 90 percent of its oil, much of it from the Gulf region, which faces uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

Srivastava said roughly 30 percent of India’s oil imports from Russia last year faced complications due to US pressure, describing the situation as an emergency. He added that while the US is increasing its own oil exports and India has imported more from America, the US still lacks sufficient capacity to meet global demand. He urged India to secure a long-term deal with Russia and not yield to Washington’s pressure.

Journalist and diplomatic analyst Smita Sharma offered a different view, saying India cannot openly oppose the US given trade and investment pressures. She noted that India may continue importing Russian oil quietly while leaning closer to the US and Israel within global alliances.