India to Keep Buying Russian Oil Despite Trump’s Tariff Threats

 India to Keep Buying Russian Oil Despite Trump’s Tariff Threats

India has made it clear it will continue purchasing Russian oil, even amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently threatened 100% tariffs on countries buying from Moscow. Two senior Indian government sources told reporters there has been no policy shift. One emphasized that the oil trade involves long-term contracts and cannot be changed overnight. Despite Trump’s claim that India would soon halt Russian oil imports, Indian officials confirmed no such directive has been given to state-run oil companies.

India’s foreign ministry reaffirmed its stance, highlighting its independent foreign policy and steady partnership with Russia. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that India's energy decisions are based on market dynamics and national interests, not external influence. The White House has not issued a response. The issue underscores India's balancing act maintaining strong ties with Russia for energy security while navigating rising geopolitical pressure from Western powers, particularly the United States.

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While India’s government remains committed to Russian oil, state refiners like IOC, BPCL, HPCL, and MRPL have recently paused purchases. This shift isn’t political but economic sources say refiners are pulling back because the discounts on Russian crude have narrowed to their lowest since 2022. The drop in discount is due to tighter Russian exports and stronger demand elsewhere.

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, still sources about 35% of its crude from Russia, receiving around 1.75 million barrels per day in the first half of 2025. Despite the recent slowdown in buying, Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, ahead of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Meanwhile, Nayara Energy a key buyer of Russian oil has faced EU sanctions due to its ties with Russian oil giant Rosneft. Its CEO recently resigned, and some of its vessels remain stranded, unable to offload cargo due to the new sanctions. These complications may influence India’s future oil logistics.