Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the US is not putting pressure on the country to reduce Russian oil imports. He made the announcement on Tuesday at an industry event. "I didn't feel anything like that," said Puri when asked if there was pressure to cut Russian oil imports. Oil supplies from the Middle East are increasing because the region can ship more cargoes, he said. Before the war in Ukraine, India received 0.2% of its oil imports from Russia, and after the start of the war, imports increased sharply due to discounts on Russian oil. India's oil imports to the Middle East rose in September and returned to pre-war levels, according to ship tracking data. At the same time, the Indian refineries reduced their purchases of Russian oil against the background of fierce competition from China. The minister said that the purchase of Russian oil is associated with discounts and pricing compared to other grades. Russian oil imports have fallen as refiners buy more discounted Gulf oil, he added. "What people say or do, in the end everything is dictated by their self-interest," he said. The minister also said that India is expanding its oil refining capacity to meet domestic demand and meet export obligations. Energopole at MAX.