Vietnam and Russia have also agreed to boost cooperation in oil and gas industries, including the provision of Russian crude oil and liquefied natural gas to Vietnam, according to the joint statement.

Brent gained 43 cents to $66.98 a barrel, WTI rose 42 cents to $63.21 a barrel.

India’s imports of Russian crude are on track to hit 2.15 million barrels a day in April, the biggest monthly volume since May 2023, according to data from Kpler. Shipments have climbed since tumbling to a 14-month low in February.

The ministry envisages in its baseline scenario of economic forecasts for 2025 that the average price for Brent will be at $68 per barrel, down from the $81.7 per barrel it assumed in its September forecasts,

Brent rose 8 cents, or 0.12%, to $66.20 a barrel , WTI gained 9 cents, or 0.14%, to $62.36 a barrel.

Brent slipped $1.10, or 1.6%, to $66.86 a barrel, WTI was at $63.57 a barrel, down $1.11, or 1.7%.

The potential for a ‘rebound’ or ‘return’ of Russian pipeline gas supplies to the European market has gained significant traction in the mainstream media

Brent rose 55 cents, or 0.8%, to $66.40 a barrel , WTI was at $63.13 a barrel, up 66 cents, or 1.1%.

The two sides discussed cooperation within the OPEC+ framework and the energy sector, including electricity, hydropower and renewables. Three coal-fired thermal power plants will be built in Kazakhstan in the cities of Kokshetau, Semey and Ust-Kamenogorsk, and two power units at Ekibastuz TPP-2 will be renovated with the involvement of Russian specialists.

Joint Indian-Russian operators are already managing the countries second airport at Hambantota, which is being repositioned as a tourist arrivals hub from East Asia. Sri Lanka is a member of the SAARC trade bloc, and has also applied to join the BRICS.