India will keep purchasing oil from Russia despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of penalties, two Indian government sources said, not wishing to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Rubio called India an "ally" but noted that Delhi's Russian oil imports were hampering its relationship with Washington.

India has bought a nearly constant flow of Russian oil for the past two years. Prices fluctuated, but each year’s sales have been worth approximately $275 billion. Iraq and Saudi Arabia, traditionally India’s biggest suppliers, have been pushed to the side.