National interest paramount in India’s decisions on international oil purchases: Centre

New Delhi (Ajoy Mishra): The Centre has informed Parliament that India’s decision on international oil purchases is based on diverse factors, with the country’s national interests at the top. The Ministry of External Affairs was asked in Rajya Sabha whether “it is a fact that the USA had asked India to stop unloading Russian oil tankers and has set a deadline for it.” MEA Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh in his response said that the ministry was informed by the US about its January 14 sanctions imposed on more than 400 Russian energy sector-related entities. He said the sanction, pronounced by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, extended to oil majors and their subsidiaries, LNG terminals, insurance companies, oil traders/brokers, oil vessels and providers of oilfield services.