India, Sept. 3 -- US congressman Brian Fitzpatrick has claimed that refiners in India are signalling plans to reduce oil imports from Russia. He owed the likely development to sustained US pressure and his engagements in India. Fitzpatrick's statement comes after his recent visit to India, Pakistan and Nepal.

"This development underscores the impact of principled American leadership and high-level diplomatic engagement," the press release said, citing the "signalling" of reduced oil imports.

The latest development comes days after a Reuters report said India's imports of Russia crude oil are set to rise in September. The Reliance Industries Ltd. and Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy would likely increase the oil purchases by 10-20%, or by 15...