Russia's oil shipments to India will continue, despite warnings from Trump, according to reliable sources.
In recent months, India has been buying Russian oil at a price below the current price cap set by the European Union. This move comes as Russia remains the leading supplier to India, accounting for approximately 35% of India's overall oil supplies.
Despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifts in oil prices, India's imports of Russian oil have continued to grow. According to data from early August 2025, India's oil purchases from Russia have nearly 19-folded from 0.1 million barrels per day in 2021 to about 1.9 million barrels per day in 2024.
Indian state refiners such as Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd have not sought Russian crude in the past week or so, but long-term oil contracts make it difficult for India to stop buying oil from Russia overnight.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Trump's threats of imposing 100% tariffs on U.S. imports from countries that buy Russian oil. However, two unnamed senior Indian officials confirmed to The New York Times that there has been no change in Indian government policy regarding oil purchases from Russia.
India's imports of Russian oil have helped avoid a global surge in oil prices, as the country's continued purchases have acted as a buffer in the market. Indian government authorities did not respond to Reuters' request for official comment on its oil purchasing intentions.
It is worth noting that Russian crude is not subject to direct sanctions, unlike Iranian and Venezuelan oil. However, Nayara Energy, a refinery majority-owned by Russian entities, was recently sanctioned by the EU. Nayara's chief executive resigned following the sanctions, and three vessels laden with oil products from Nayara Energy have yet to discharge their cargoes due to new EU sanctions.
India's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that the country has a "steady and time-tested partnership" with Russia. Despite growing impatience from U.S. President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin in recent weeks, India plans to continue purchasing oil from Russia, despite potential U.S. penalties.
In conclusion, India's ongoing reliance on Russian oil is evident, with the country continuing to import large volumes of Russian crude oil despite geopolitical pressures and shifts in pricing. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how India navigates these complex geopolitical challenges and maintains its energy security. (source 1)
- The economy and business world are watching as India, amid war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation shifts, persists in importing large volumes of oil from Russia, accounting for around 35% of India's total supplies.
- This move, in the face of EU-set price caps and ongoing tensions, has helped mitigate a global surge in oil prices, serving as a buffer in the market.
- Despite Russian entities like Nayara Energy being sanctioned, India's cooperation with Russia, a decades-long partnership, remains strong, as indicated by the country's continued oil purchases.
- The Indian government's stance on oil imports from Russia has remained unchanged, regardless of American diplomatic pressure, with officials confirming no policy shift to The New York Times.
- The future course of action in this dynamic global energy scene is uncertain, with geopolitical intricacies and politics playing a significant role in the industry and finance.
- Meanwhile, general news outlets continue to cover the story, tracking Indian oil purchases and the potential consequences for the country's energy security in Europe and the world.
