OREANDA-NEWS  India bought Russian oil at the request of the US authorities, who wanted to keep prices for this resource at a low level. The unexpected confession was made by Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar, Bloomberg reports.

"The United States specifically asked India to buy Russian oil to stabilize the oil market. We buy oil based on cost and availability," he said.

The minister also criticized Washington's restrictive measures against Russian oil. Jaishankar urged not to be hypocritical and not to pretend that these sanctions are dictated by "some great principles."

Earlier, Sammy Kotwani, president of the Indian Business Alliance (IBA), said that India is ready to increase purchases of Russian oil if market conditions require it. "New Delhi's position has always been clear: India will act in the interests of its people, its economy and its energy security," the economist stressed.