India, March 6 -- US energy secretary Chris Wright on Friday explained the reasoning behind "allowing" India to buy Russian oil, calling it a temporary measure aimed at easing the pressure on the crude market due to the conflict with Iran.

The 30-day waiver for India was announced earlier by US treasury secretary Scott Bessent. Wright said it was a "practical way" to get the supply flowing.

"We have implemented short-term measures to help keep oil prices down. We are allowing our friends in India to take oil that is already on ships, refine it, and move those barrels into the market quickly. A practical way to get supply flowing and ease pressure," Wright said in a post on X.

Speaking to ABC News, the energy secretary said that it wasn...