India’s purchase of Russian oil has supported US policy objectives by helping stabilise global energy prices, former US Assistant Secretary of Energy Geoffrey Pyatt told CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive interview. Pyatt, who served in the Biden administration, said India’s actions aligned with the US-led G7 price cap framework.“It was important that not only did India serve the objectives of US policies through its actions, but we also have very effective dialogue with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with South Block, with Minister Hardeep Puri on the issues around enforcement of the price cap,” Pyatt said.
He noted that Washington never expected New Delhi to directly enforce the price cap mechanism. “We did not expect [India to] enforce the price cap mechanism itself, but India understood when we took action against Mumbai-based shipping companies that were circumventing the price cap,” he added.
Pyatt said this cooperation contributed to stable global oil prices during a period of geopolitical uncertainty. He said the US imposed sanctions only on companies violating the cap, without compromising India’s energy security.His remarks follow US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose 50% tariffs on India, citing its Russian oil imports — a shift from the Biden administration’s approach.
