The United States has called on India to include its Russian oil imports in ongoing trade discussions, while Indian refiners continue to purchase Russian oil to meet rising energy demands, according to a report by Bloomberg.

During a meeting with Indian negotiators on Tuesday, a U.S. delegation headed by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch brought up the matter. The request is uncommon since a country’s trade with a third party is rarely included in bilateral trade discussions.

Earlier this week, U.S. officials held a day-long talk in New Delhi, seeking to ease strained relations following President Donald Trump’s imposition of a 50% tariff on India.

At Tuesday’s meeting, India requested the elimination of the extra 25% duty on its Russian energy imports. The government labeled the tariffs as ‘unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable,’ emphasizing that purchasing Russian oil is vital to ensuring the country’s energy security.

Last month, India dismissed demands to stop buying Russian oil, even after Trump warned of additional penalties and a 25% tariff. On August 2, Indian officials confirmed that no instructions had been given to domestic oil companies to reduce purchases from Russia.

Trump justified the tariffs by stating they were aimed at lowering oil prices and undermining Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine. He argued that a drop in oil prices would force President Putin to withdraw from the conflict.

Following the meeting, both nations described the talks as ‘positive,’ noting that a range of trade-related issues were discussed. They also committed to ramping up efforts to secure a deal. The U.S. and India had initially targeted finalizing a bilateral trade agreement by this autumn, but progress stalled as both sides became more rigid in their stances. Washington continues to push for expanded access to India’s dairy and agricultural markets, areas where India remains resistant to liberalization.

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