India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil, purchase more American products: White House official

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed on Tuesday that New Delhi has agreed to “stop purchasing Russian oil” and to buy more American oil as part of the trade deal between India and the United States, Fox News reported.

Leavitt added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to $500 billion worth of purchases of US energy, transportation and agricultural products.

India has not commented on the claims so far. The US has been repeatedly alleging that India’s purchases of Russian oil have helped fuel the war in Ukraine, while New Delhi has maintained that its oil purchases are aimed at ensuring its own energy security.

India also agreed to potentially buy more oil from Venezuela, the White House press secretary told Fox News. “As you know, the president [Donald Trump] and his national security team are now dictating the commerce of Venezuela and those oil sales and so, this directly benefits the American people as well,” she said.

Last week, the US reportedly told India that it could soon resume purchasing Venezuelan oil to help replace oil imports from Russia.

As per the deal, which was announced on Monday, the US would cut tariffs imposed on India to 18% with immediate effect. India will reduce its tariffs and non-tariff barriers against the...

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