Oil, LNG supplies: Top Russian official Manturov offers fuel support to India amid Middle East crisis

Russia on Friday highlighted its deepening energy partnership with India, saying Moscow could increase energy supplies to the Indian market amid an ongoing energy crisis caused by war in the Middle East. During his visit to India, Russian First Vice President Denis Manturov said that Moscow companies are capable of increasing oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to the country. According to a statement issued by the Russian Embassy in India, Manturov emphasized that Russia has increased the supply of mineral fertilizers required by India by 40% by the end of 2025 and expressed its readiness to continue to meet India’s needs.

He noted that a joint project on urea (urea) production is currently being developed to strengthen long-term agricultural cooperation. The two sides also reaffirmed their continued cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and the construction of new units at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is progressing as per the agreed timetable.ANI quoted the statement as saying: “Denis Manturov confirmed that Russian companies have the ability to steadily increase the supply of oil and LNG to the Indian market. Russia and India continue to strengthen their nuclear energy partnership. The Kudankulam nuclear power plant construction project is being implemented in accordance with the agreed timetable.”In addition to energy and fertilizers, the talks will also involve expanding cooperation in the industrial sector, space, education and innovation, promoting a multifaceted strategic partnership between Moscow and New Delhi.Manturov, who also serves as co-chairman of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Council for Trade, Economic, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC-TEC), also held a high-level bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday.According to a release from the Ministry of External Affairs, the discussions focused on expanding strategic partnerships in the areas of trade, industry, energy, fertilizers, connectivity, technology and critical minerals, while also reviewing progress on the outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit to be held in December 2025.During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and other regional and global developments.The two sides held extensive discussions on new opportunities in trade, industry, energy, fertilizers, connectivity and mobility, as well as technology, innovation and critical minerals. The two sides also reviewed the progress in the implementation of various outcomes of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit held in December last year. The co-chairs also exchanged views on regional and global developments, including conflicts in West Asia. “Manturov’s visit, which lasted from April 2 to April 3, also had contacts with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and other senior officials.The visit highlights the two countries’ shared will to deepen economic ties and strengthen strategic cooperation in key areas of mutual interest.