New Delhi, May 18 -- India will steadfastly maintain its procurement of Russian crude oil regardless of the status of Washington's sanctions waivers, a senior government official confirmed on Monday, reinforcing that national energy security and economic pragmatism remain New Delhi's utmost priorities amidst escalating global fuel costs and intensifying volatile friction in West Asia.

The critical declaration follows mounting international apprehensions after the Trump administration permitted a key sanctions waiver tied to Russian seaborne oil lapsed over the weekend.

Elaborating on New Delhi's unyielding stance during a media briefing on Monday, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, made it clear...