The New York Times on Saturday quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy, with one official saying the government had "not given any direction to oil companies" to cut back imports from Russia.

The strategy of snapping up cheap Russian oil, refining it, and exporting petroleum products — even to nations sanctioning Russian crude — has delivered record profits for Indian refiners.

President Trump says India buys military equipment and oil from Russia, which enables Moscow’s war in Ukraine.