India Declines Russian LNG Cargoes Subject to Sanctions

India has declined Russian liquefied natural gas cargoes that are subject to sanctions, Reuters reported on Monday. The country continues to hold talks on which cargoes could still be permitted under existing restrictions. Officials are working to separate sanctioned shipments from those that can proceed.

The move comes as India seeks to maintain energy supplies while complying with international sanctions regimes. Russian LNG has formed part of India's import mix in recent years as the country diversifies its sources away from traditional pipeline suppliers.

Discussions between Indian buyers and Russian suppliers remain active. The talks focus on identifying specific cargoes that fall outside the scope of current sanctions. Any permitted shipments would need to meet both Indian import requirements and applicable international rules.

The outcome of these negotiations could determine the volume of Russian LNG that reaches Indian ports in coming months. India is among the fastest-growing LNG markets globally. The country has expanded its regasification capacity and signed long-term contracts with multiple suppliers to support rising domestic demand from power generation, industry and city gas distribution.