Russia Says Oil and Coal Shipments to India Continue, Flags LNG Potential and Nuclear Cooperation

Russia says supplies of crude oil, petroleum products, and both thermal and coking coal to India are ongoing, and that there is room to expand into liquefied natural gas (LNG). The update came from First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov during a meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission, according to state media.

Manturov also pointed to cooperation beyond direct sales. He said joint investment projects in hydrocarbon extraction and processing are underway in both countries, and that Moscow intends to widen collaboration in the civilian nuclear sector, citing India’s Kudankulam project as a model.

On energy trade, Manturov said shipments remain steady and that LNG is a logical next step in Russia–India flows. India is the world’s third-largest oil consumer and remains highly dependent on imports to meet domestic demand.

The remarks come as U.S.–India trade tensions have sharpened. On Aug. 6, the White House issued an executive order adding a 25% tariff on Indian goods tied to New Delhi’s purchases of Russian oil, lifting effective duties on covered items to as high as 50%. India’s foreign ministry has repeatedly defended its energy policy as rooted in national interest and market stability.

In an Aug. 4, 2025 statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs called the actions “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” according to the official release.

What India said in the statement:

1. The United States has in recent days targeted India’s oil imports from Russia.
2. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India.
3. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest.
4. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.
5. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.