New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday, April 2, 2026, categorically denied media reports suggesting that India had approached the United States for a sanctions waiver to resume Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports from Russia. During a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal labeled the claims as “speculative” and “ill-informed,” emphasizing that such reports lack a factual basis. Jaiswal cautioned against drawing conclusions from unverified information, reaffirming that India’s energy sourcing remains a matter of national interest guided by market dynamics rather than a shift in policy regarding existing Western sanctions frameworks.
The controversy erupted following several international reports claiming that New Delhi and Moscow had reached a verbal understanding to restart direct LNG trade for the first time since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. These reports alleged that India sought a formal carve-out from Washington to facilitate the deal, citing the growing instability in West Asia and potential disruptions to traditional supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz. The MEA’s swift denial is seen as an attempt to manage diplomatic sensitivities with both Washington and Moscow as global energy markets face heightened volatility.
While the government has denied seeking a waiver for LNG, the diplomatic backdrop remains complex. Earlier this month, the U.S. did grant a temporary 30-day “bridge waiver” to allow Indian refiners to process Russian crude oil currently stranded at sea due to recent shipping hurdles. However, the MEA clarified that this specific crude oil arrangement does not translate into a broader policy shift or a request for a long-term LNG waiver. Indian officials maintain that they are constantly evaluating diverse energy sources to ensure domestic energy security but are doing so within the bounds of international regulatory environments.
The speculation regarding Russian LNG comes at a time when India is looking to diversify its fuel mix and reduce its reliance on Middle Eastern supplies, which have been rattled by recent infrastructure risks. Despite the denial, energy experts suggest that the “national interest” clause cited by the MEA leaves the door open for future negotiations should global supply chains tighten further. For now, the Indian government appears focused on maintaining its strategic autonomy without triggering direct friction with the U.S.-led sanctions regime.
