India’s plan to buy crude oil, LNG and LPG from the United States is driven by strategic energy diversification rather than any obligation under the proposed bilateral trade agreement, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday, underlining that purchasing decisions will continue to rest with Indian companies. “The buying of crude oil or LNG, LPG from the US is in India’s own strategic interests as we diversify our oil sources. But the decisions are taken by the buyers, by the companies themselves. So, the trade deal doesn’t discuss who will buy what and from where,” Goyal said in an interview with ANI. He added that the purpose of the trade agreement was to ensure a smooth pathway for trade and provide preferential market access, rather than dictate sourcing choices.