'It is based on India's national interest': Russia on its energy ties with New Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Russian crude oil remains the most cost effective option on the global market and Russia's energy ties with India are in tune with New Delhi's national interests, Russian ambassador Denis Alipov said on Thursday.
Alipov's remarks came hours after US President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that New Delhi will stop procuring Russian crude oil.
"Russian energy remains the most cost-effective option on the global market, and Russia has consistently honoured its commitments while showing flexibility in developing alternative logistics and payment systems in the face of attempts to disrupt this cooperation," he said.
In his address at an event, Alipov also said that Russian crude oil accounts for around one-third of India's total hydrocarbon imports.
The Russian ambassador also described Russia as India's "most reliable energy partner" and said there is scope for enhancing the overall ties, including in areas of defence, trade, connectivity and technology.
Alipov said the India-Russia strategic partnership is a "stabilising force" in global affairs and a powerful driver of economic growth".
"This kind of relationship is in increasing demand worldwide as we collectively navigate an era of unprecedented geopolitical turbulence," he said.
Later, Alipov, while responding to a question on Trump's remarks and if India will continue to procure Russian crude oil, said: "this is a question for the Indian government (to answer)."
The Indian government is dealing with the matter having in mind the national interests of this country in the first place, he said.
"Our cooperation in the energy sector is very much in tune of those interests," he said.
In response to the US president's comments, India said it is "broad-basing and diversifying" its sourcing of energy to meet market conditions.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to Trump's remarks, said it has been New Delhi's consistent priority to safeguard the interests of the Indian consumer in a volatile energy scenario.
He said India's import policies are guided entirely by the national interest, adding India has been looking at expanding energy ties with the US as well.
"Ensuring stable energy prices and secured supplies have been the twin goals of our energy policy," Jaiswal said.
"This includes broad-basing our energy sourcing and diversifying as appropriate to meet market conditions," he added.
India's continuing purchase of petroleum products from Russia notwithstanding Western sanctions has become a major issue that resulted in severe downturn in ties between New Delhi and Washington.
In Washington, Trump told reporters that "he (Modi) has assured me there will be no oil purchases from Russia."
The US president said India may not be able to cut the procurement immediately but the process has started.
"It (process) has started. He can't do it immediately. It's a little bit of a process, but the process is going to be over soon," the US president said.
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Will give suitable answer on L&O situation in Karnataka during winter session: Minister Parameshwara
Bengaluru (PTI): Home Minister G Parameshwara on Saturday said that he will give a suitable response in the state legislature about the law and order situation in Karnataka, if the opposition raises the matter to target the government.
Opposition BJP has made it clear that the law and order situation will be among the main issues that it will raise during the winter session.
The winter session of the Karnataka legislature will begin in Belagavi on December 8 and will go on till 19th of this month.
"I will give a suitable answer (in the Assembly), if they (opposition raise), as to how the law and order situation is in Karnataka and in BJP-ruled states. Also, how law and order was there when the BJP was in power in the state, and how it is now with figures," Parameshwara said in response to a question.
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Speaking to reporters here, he said he is not saying that there have been no incidents in the state, but it has to be told as to how the situation was there during the BJP's rule and how it is now.
Asked about how the government will defend notorious criminals and a terror suspect allegedly enjoying preferential treatment inside the Parappana Agrahara Central Jail, the home minister said, "When the majority of the incidents took place, which government was there? All this will be informed in the Assembly when the issue is raised."
Admitting that such incidents have occurred under the current government's tenure too, he said, appropriate action has also been taken against those involved and the officials responsible. "But, old videos were circulated and it was projected as it took place now. I will explain each incident," he added.
To a question on Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into allegations of "multiple murders, rapes and burials" in the temple town of Dharmasthala, Parameshwara said, he would inform the factual position to the legislature, if raised in the House.
"SIT has submitted the report to the court. They have also submitted it to the government. If the issue is raised, we will inform the house. Factual position has to be told. What is there to hide?"
Asked about his meeting with senior Minister Satish Jarkiholi, amid leadership speculation in the state, Parameshwara said, some time the meeting with Jarkiholi might be on work-related matters as he holds a major PWD portfolio, while sometime it will be for casual political discussions.
"What is there to hide in it? We have met in the past too," he added.
