Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday reiterated that the India–US interim trade framework does not dictate where India should buy its oil, even as questions persist over US President Donald Trump’s condition linking tariff relief to a halt in Russian oil imports.

Speaking to ANI, Goyal again avoided a direct comment on Trump’s claim that India had committed to stop buying Russian crude, saying decisions on energy imports fall within the domain of the Ministry of External Affairs. He maintained that purchasing US energy is in India’s “own strategic interest” as New Delhi seeks to diversify its energy sources.

Goyal stressed that the trade framework is not about “who buys what and from where,” but about creating smoother trade pathways and ensuring preferential market access. He highlighted that India’s 18 per cent reciprocal tariff under the deal gives it an advantage over other developing nations competing in the US market.

However, Trump’s executive order lifting the additional 25 per cent tariff makes clear that the US Commerce Secretary will monitor India’s oil purchases. Analysts say this monitoring clause is the “real sting,” as any finding that India has resumed direct or indirect Russian oil imports could trigger a reimposition of punitive tariffs.

The Ministry of External Affairs has neither confirmed nor denied Trump’s claim that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil. Instead, it has reiterated that India’s energy purchases will continue to be guided by market conditions and national energy security needs. Reports suggest Indian refiners are already reducing or pausing purchases of Russian crude for April deliveries.

Strategic experts have noted that the US move signals that energy choices are now treated as geopolitical decisions rather than purely commercial ones. At the same time, former foreign secretary Nirupama Menon Rao argued that India retains leverage, as Washington is negotiating with New Delhi rather than sidelining it.

Meanwhile, opposition leaders have slammed the deal, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi calling it “treacherous” and demanding a full parliamentary debate, accusing the government of compromising national interests under US pressure.