- Title: U.S. negotiating with India on Venezuelan oil sale, envoy says
- Date: 20th February 2026
- Summary: NEW DELHI, INDIA (FEBRUARY 20, 2026) (ANI- No use India) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA, SERGIO GOR, ADDRESSING MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. AMBASSADOR TO INDIA, SERGIO GOR, ASKED BY JOURNALIST OFF CAMERA: "India has been importing 2 percent oil from Venezuela. How is that oil going to come to India? Is it going to be via the US now? So, have the dynamics changed for direct
- Embargoed:
- Keywords: CONFLICT DONALD TRUMP INDIA MODI OIL TRADE RUSSIA UKRAINE UNITED STATES VENEZUELA
- Location: NEW DELHI, INDIA
- City: NEW DELHI, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,International Trade
- Reuters ID: LVA001714020022026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The U.S. ambassador to India Sergio Gor was cautious on Friday (February 20) when asked about the sale of Venezuelan oil to India, to help India diversify its sources of crude oil.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi where India joined the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative aimed at building a silicon supply chain for high-tech products, Gor said "the Department of Energy is speaking to the Ministry of Energy here, and so we're hoping to have some news of that very soon," adding that Washington was in "active negotiation."
U.S. President Donald Trump this month agreed to cut tariffs on Indian goods to 18% under an interim trade deal. He also removed a 25% punitive levy after India agreed to end the purchase of Russian oil, which the U.S. said helps fund Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He said India would buy more oil from the U.S. and potentially Venezuela.
The U.S. had pitched the sale of Venezuelan oil to India to help replace Russian oil imports, Reuters reported last month.
The U.S. and allies imposed sanctions on Russia's energy sector following Russia's 2022 invasion. India then became the top customer for Russian seaborne crude which it bought at rock-bottom prices, to the consternation of Western nations.
"On the oil, there's an agreement... We have seen India diversify on their oil. There is a commitment. This is not about India. The United States doesn't want anyone buying Russian oil," Gor said.
(Production: Deniz Uyar) - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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