Russia may account for almost a third of India's oil imports by the end of the current financial year, Arun Kumar Singh, the head of Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd, was cited as saying on Saturday by Russian news agency Interfax.

See ONGC’s denial at the end

"The share of Russian oil imports, which was less than 2 per cent in FY22 , has increased tenfold to 20 per cent in the oil import basket," Singh was quoted as saying at a St Petersburg International Economic Forum panel.

The level may reach 30 per cent by the end of the FY24, he added.

"Then, guaranteed trade between the two countries will grow even stronger and Russia will have a major role to play in ensuring India's energy security."

Also Read: China and India purchase most of the re-routed Russian energy.

Interfax did not specify frames of the FY24.

Russia has been redirecting its energy supplies from Western countries which have imposed restrictions and sanctions on trade with Moscow, including an oil price cap, after its invasion of Ukraine. China and India purchase most of the re-routed Russian energy.

Russian crude oil imports by India, the world's No. 3 crude importer, hit an all-time high in May as buyers gorged on discounted supplies, reducing demand for oil from the Middle East and Africa, according to preliminary assessments from ship trackers.

Note:ONGC has denied its Chairman has made this statement. A rejoinder issued by ONGC says, “Arun Kumar Singh has neither made any such statement, nor was he in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum Panel.”

Also Read: Pakistan pays for Russian crude oil shipment in Chinese currency

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