The US on Thursday urged India to consider American energy supplies as an alternative to Russian crude amid growing uncertainty in West Asia, with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau saying there was “no better alternative” than the US for meeting India’s energy needs.Speaking at Raisina Dialogue 2026 in New Delhi, Landau said Washington hoped India and other partners would work together to stabilise the Middle East and help the region transition towards what he described as a “new normal”.Responding to a question on India’s continued purchases of discounted Russian oil since the Russia-Ukraine war, Landau suggested that New Delhi should diversify its energy sources.“I hope you are looking for alternate sources… you can’t have a better alternative than the United States,” he said, pointing to America’s position as one of the world’s largest energy producers capable of supplying global markets.His remarks come at a time when global energy markets are facing renewed uncertainty amid tensions involving Iran, raising concerns about potential disruptions to crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz — a critical route for global oil supplies and a major lifeline for India’s imports.Landau said Washington was ready to work with India to ensure stable energy supplies in both the short and long term, describing energy cooperation as a key pillar of the expanding strategic partnership between the two countries.The senior American diplomat also outlined Washington’s broader objectives in the confrontation with Tehran, saying the ultimate goal was a Middle East that no longer posed a threat to global security.“We tried very hard to explain our red line — no development of a nuclear weapon,” he said, warning that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave risk to international stability.Landau added that the long-term political future of Iran would ultimately be determined by its own people but stressed that the US hoped to work with partners such as India to help stabilise the region.Highlighting the growing importance Washington attaches to ties with New Delhi, Landau said the 21st century was likely to witness the rise of India as a major global power and that the US wanted to deepen cooperation across economic and strategic domains.He also said negotiations on a proposed India-US trade agreement were “close to the finish line”, adding that the pact could unlock significant economic opportunities for both countries and further strengthen bilateral ties.Describing the current moment as critical for bilateral relations, Landau said the US wanted to build a partnership with India based on shared interests, economic cooperation and security collaboration in an increasingly volatile global environment.