Russia is trying to leverage a global natural gas shortage to entice South Asia into buying discounted shipments from its facilities, which are restricted by US sanctions. These discounted deals are being facilitated through intermediary companies in China and Russia.

Russia is seeking to leverage a global natural gas supply crunch to lure energy-starved South Asia into purchasing shipments from its US-sanctioned facilities, according to people familiar with the matter. The shipments were being offered at a 40 per cent discount to spot prices last week via little-known intermediary companies based in China and Russia, said the people, who asked not to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media. The sellers said that they could provide...