Break ties with Putin, buy nuclear fuel from us… Is America blackmailing India by stopping the import of Russian oil?

Last Updated:January 16, 2025, 4:25 PM IST

America strengthened civil nuclear cooperation by lifting sanctions on three major Indian nuclear institutions. This decision is important for India-America relations. However, the ban on oil supply from Russia may affect India.

America has lifted sanctions on India’s nuclear institutions. (Credit-PTI)

Washington: America has taken a big decision to deepen relations with India. America on Wednesday lifted the ban on three major Indian nuclear institutions. This removed an important obstacle to civil nuclear cooperation between the two countries. But its timing is very special. Because meanwhile, America has imposed sanctions on Russian oil, which will have a direct impact on India. The question arises whether by doing this an attempt is being made to put pressure on India, because till now India buys nuclear fuel on a large scale from Russia. The lifting of the ban is a direct indication that America wants India to make a similar deal with it. This decision announced by the US Bureau of Industry and Security is seen as an important step in taking forward the India-US civil nuclear deal.

The institutions on which restrictions have been lifted include Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR), and Indian Rare Earths (IRE). This decision has been taken just before the end of Joe Biden’s term. Last year, talks related to uranium supply were going on for a long time between India and Russia. Currently, India buys uranium for its nuclear reactor from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, France and Canada.

America’s new ban will affect
America wants cooperation with India in the nuclear field as well, which is why this ban has been lifted. But at the same time such restrictions have been imposed which can now affect India’s supply of crude oil coming from Russia. Last week, the US announced new sanctions on Russia’s oil trade and sanctioned 183 tankers from Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet’. It is through these tankers that Russia supplies its oil to India and China. The sanctions also targeted Russian oil companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, insurance companies and other entities involved in the country’s oil sector and trade.

What did Russia say on the sanctions?
This is the biggest sanction against Russia’s oil shipping sector since the attack on Ukraine in February 2022. India has been buying crude oil from Russia since the beginning of the war. This ban will have a direct impact on India. Russia says that US sanctions can destabilize global markets and increase oil prices all over the world, Moscow will do everything possible to reduce their impact.