In an exclusive interview with RT India, Russia's foreign minister praises New Delhi's firm stand on energy security

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov compared Western pressure on countries of the Global South, including India - the world's second largest oil importer - over their trade with Russia to "neocolonial methods."

Speaking exclusively to Runjhun Sharma, host of the show India, Russia and the World, Lavrov said on Tuesday that the ongoing Middle East crisis highlights Washington's desire to control global energy trade flows.

"They put pressure on everyone, demanding that they should not purchase Russian oil, and this is unfair play. These are colonial, or neocolonial, methods. 'You shouldn't purchase cheap Russian oil. You should purchase my expensive oil, and buy expensive LNG from the US. We will rule the world by controlling global energy," the Russian foreign minister said. He added that not all countries "cave in to such pressure."

Lavrov noted that Moscow respects New Delhi's position, repeatedly outlined by Indian officials - that its energy imports are dictated by national interests as well as market terms, and that New Delhi will decide from whom to buy energy and at what price.

India is the third largest producer and consumer of electricity globally, after China and the US. New Delhi imports over 85% of its crude oil requirements to meet rising domestic demand and refinery consumption. Since 2022, New Delhi has ramped up imports of Russian oil significantly and continues relying on Russian crude to meet its demand, despite continuous pressure from its Western partners.

Washington imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil in October, causing a temporary decrease in oil imports by India. However, the Trump administration has since extended a sanctions waiver, until May 16, after the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz wreaked havoc on global energy markets.

The Indian government has stressed that it will do everything it can to ensure uninterrupted energy supply to 1.4 billion people and industries.  At the same time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called on Indians to rethink their energy use, including cutting fuel consumption by using more public transport and working from home, amid continuing uncertainty over a ceasefire in the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.

READ MORE: Modi urges Indians to cut fuel usage amid Iran war

Speaking to RT India ahead of his trip to New Delhi for the meeting of BRICS foreign ministers, Lavrov said that the grouping can play a significant role in shaping efforts to end hostilities in the Middle East.

The full interview will be aired on RT on Wednesday.