‘Oil purchases from Russia dropped sharply because of U.S. threat,’ says P. Chidambaram

Congress person P. Chidambaram has asserted that India should beryllium capable to bargain lipid from immoderate source, wherever it is available. He was responding to a question connected U.S. President Donald Trump’s connection connected India’s lipid imports, successful which helium alleged that India’s lipid purchases from Russia person declined sharply owed to the U.S. threat.

“I don’t cognize the implications. I don’t cognize what knowing has arrived astatine betwixt India and the United States. We should bargain lipid wherever it’s available, whether it’s Russia, Venezuela, oregon whatever,” Mr. Chidambaram told ANI.

However, the erstwhile Finance Minister noted that lone the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister would beryllium alert of immoderate underlying complications successful the acquisition of lipid from Venezuela.

“But our lipid purchases from Russia dropped sharply due to the fact that of the U.S. threat. Now, if we tin bargain lipid from Venezuela astatine a tenable price, wherefore not? But I don’t cognize what complications volition arise. Only the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s bureau volition cognize whether determination are immoderate complications successful buying lipid from Venezuela,” Mr. Chidambaram said.

Earlier connected Sunday (February 1, 2026), Mr. Chidambaram had a tongue-in-cheek quip to Mr. Trump’s latest remarks, wherever helium had told reporters successful America that india volition beryllium buying lipid from Venezuela alternatively of Iran.

During a post-Budget property briefing connected Sunday (February 1, 2026), a newsman had quizzed the erstwhile Union Finance Minister connected wherefore is Mr. Trump announcing this. He was besides asked if the U.S. President volition determine from whom India should oregon should not bargain oil.

“I’m not Karoline Leavitt, the Press Secretary of President Donald Trump,” Mr. Chidambaram said, adding, “Please inquire astir the Indian Budget.”

Mr. Chidambaram’s remarks came aft Mr. Trump claimed that India had already made a woody to bargain Venezuelan lipid alternatively of sourcing crude from Iran.

On Saturday (January 31, 2026), addressing reporters aboard Air Force One, helium said, “China is invited to travel successful and marque a large woody connected oil. We’ve already made a deal. India is coming in, and they’re going to beryllium buying Venezuelan lipid arsenic opposed to buying it from Iran. So, we’ve already made the conception of the deal.”

The Indian authorities has not yet responded to Mr. Trump’s comments.