India’s finance minister said on Friday that New Delhi would continue to buy Russian crude since its people needed it at a lower price after world prices soared. India has already begun purchasing oil from Russia, according to Nirmala Sitharaman, who said that the switch to gas would be difficult due to restricted supply.

Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, is in New Delhi to seek assistance after US and British officials encouraged India to avoid weakening the dollar-based financial system and sanctions imposed on Russia for its February 24 invasion of Ukraine. Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, is in New Delhi to seek assistance after US and British officials encouraged India to avoid weakening the dollar-based financial system and sanctions imposed on Russia for its February 24 invasion of Ukraine.