New Delhi and Moscow have a “steady and time-tested partnership,” India’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday, just days after US President Donald Trump ripped the South Asian nation over its ties with Russia.

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

The influx of discounted Russian crude also enabled India to refine the oil and export petroleum products, including to countries that have imposed sanctions on direct imports from Russia.