Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri addressed concerns regarding India's oil imports from Russia, asserting that the country was never explicitly advised against purchasing Russian oil. In an interview with CNN-News18, he explained that India has effectively managed to keep fuel prices stable amidst significant global energy supply challenges. Puri highlighted that India's energy imports come from 41 different countries, allowing for a diversified approach to sourcing fuel. He mentioned that while there were sanctions on certain entities, the purchases of oil are conducted by private companies, which could face punitive actions if they engage with sanctioned commodities. In 2022, Russian oil constituted only 2% of India's total imports, but this figure has increased dramatically, with imports rising from 1.05 million barrels per day in February to between 2-2.5 million barrels per day currently. Puri also noted that India is prepared to seek alternative oil sources should Russia increase crude prices in the future, underscoring the country's proactive energy strategy.