US aims to become major energy supplier to India, official says

As New Delhi seeks to diversify its energy sources, the United States wants to become a major supplier of India’s energy needs, State Department official said, amid Washington’s pressure over India’s purchases of Russian oil.

“India has been looking for a long time to diversify its energy sources. They’re a country that has massive energy needs,” the official told PTI.

“We are looking to also become a huge source of India’s energy needs. We’re increasing our hydrocarbon exports,” the official said, adding that the US is the world’s largest exporter of liquefied petroleum gas and the second-largest exporter of liquefied natural gas.

The comments came after President Donald Trump signed legislation to allow tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India and China. The official said the law gives Trump “a new tool in his toolbox”, but does not necessarily mean sanctions or tariffs will be imposed immediately.

Talks between the two countries on energy diversification were under way and Washington was also looking to expand India’s access to Venezuelan energy supplies, the official said.

India has long sought to diversify its energy supply base and the official said the current priority was to “expedite it faster”.