(Reuters) -Indian officials have said they would keep purchasing oil from Russia despite the threat of penalties that U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose, the New York Times reported on Saturday. Reuters could not immediately verify the report.

India has suggested it will continue purchasing oil from Russia despite US president Donald Trump’s threats to hit Delhi with new tariffs over the imports. Foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters on Friday that India’s energy decisions were based on market availability and global conditions,

Donald Trump had on Thursday imposed a 25 per cent import tariff on India, along with unspecified penalties for its Russian oil purchase. He later indicated that the high tariffs were results of India being a member of the BRICS and its relationship with Russia.