The United States has encouraged India to consider purchasing Russian oil cargoes that are currently floating at sea and redirecting them to Indian refineries in order to calm concerns about possible supply shortages and rising oil prices during the ongoing West Asia conflict. The suggestion was made by US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who described the idea as a practical short term step to help stabilise global energy markets.

Speaking in an interview with CNN on Sunday, Wright said he and Scott Bessent had contacted Indian authorities to discuss the possibility of purchasing Russian crude shipments that are currently waiting to be unloaded at Chinese refineries. According to Wright, several cargoes of oil are already at sea but face long waiting periods before they can be processed in China.

He explained that diverting some of these shipments to India could help ease market anxiety. Instead of allowing the oil to remain idle for weeks while waiting to unload in China, the cargoes could be delivered to Indian refineries sooner. This, he said, would help reduce fears of oil shortages, limit sudden price spikes, and calm uncertainty in global energy markets.

Wright emphasised that the suggestion should not be interpreted as a change in Washington’s policy toward Russia. He described the proposal as a temporary and practical response to market pressures rather than a political shift. The United States, he noted, continues to maintain its existing stance regarding Russia. He also added that India is fully aware of the US position and has remained a constructive partner during discussions related to global energy stability and supply concerns.