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India’s oil imports continue to be a thorn in the Indo-US ties, namely New Delhi’s import of Russian oil. Days before the additional 25 per cent tariff on India for importing Russian oil comes into effect — US President Donald Trump had
said that this levy would start on August 27 — India’s Ambassador to Russia struck a defiant note, saying that the continue buying oil from wherever it gets the “best deal” and “take measures” to protect its national interest amid US tariffs.
His remarks come amid the tussle over India’s decision to continue its purchase of Russian oil even in the face of Trump’s tariffs. Earlier, India’s External Affairs Ministry said the decision was “extremely unfortunate” and noted that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national
economic interest.
The Indian envoy’s remarks have once again put the spotlight on the country’s energy mosaic, shaping its import landscape and influencing the country’s energy security strategies.
In an interview with Russia’s news outlet, TASS, India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said that the US move to increase tariffs on Indian imports by 25 per cent — taking the total to 50 per cent — due to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil is “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified”.
“First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and India’s cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the oil market, global oil market. So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country,” Kumar was quoted by TASS.
He further added, “And the trade takes place on commercial
basis. So if the basis of commercial transaction trade imports are right, Indian companies will continue buying from wherever they get the best deal. So that’s what the current situation is.”
His comments come in the backdrop of the Donald Trump administration doubling tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Many in the Trump administration have alleged that India’s continuous purchase of Russian crude funds its war
against Ukraine, a charge denied byIndia.
The remark by the ambassador has shone a light on India’s dependence on oil imports. According to the National Bureau of Asian Research, India imports almost 85 per cent of the oil it requires to satisfy the appetite of an expanding economy, including a substantial refining and re-export business. In fact, the country now ranks third in the world for oil consumption and second in oil imports.
So,
which countries supply crude to New Delhi? Prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, which broke out in February 2022, India’s most significant oil supplier was Iraq (24 per cent), Saudi Arabia (16 per cent), the United States (10 per cent) and Russia (two per cent).
But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed the dynamics significantly. Now, India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia. According to data available, Russia has become the top supplier to India, accounting for about 35 per cent of India’s
overall supplies. In fact, Kpler market data showed Indian import of Russian crude likely hitting 2.15 million barrels a day, the highest volumes since May 2023.
A new report by Finland’s Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air showed that India’s Russian oil purchases reached Rs 132 billion since early 2022, that is, when Russia’s invasion into Ukraine began.
Besides Russia, India’s other big oil supplier is Iraq. In May 2023, India purchased
839,000 barrels from Iraq per day, making it the country’s second-largest oil supplier.Shafaq News reported that total Iraqi crude and refined petroleum product exports to India in 2024 were valued at $29.58 billion, of which $28.6 billion was crude oil, refined products and derivatives accounted for $1.77 billion of the trade, and petroleum coke, bitumen, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) exports were valued at $223.5 million.
India also imports oil from Saudi Arabia; in FY25, India imported 14 per cent of
all its oil from the Kingdom. Data reveals that in 2025, India imported on average 640,000 barrels per day from Saudi Arabia.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been a vital crude oil supplier to India — it has provided 10 per cent of oil to the nation. In 2024, India purchased $3.2 billion worth of crude oil from UAE in the first half of the fiscal year, compared to $9.35billion during the same period in 2023.
The US is also a key supplier of crude to India. Washington, DC contributed five per cent to
India’s oil imports, making it among the country’s top crude suppliers.
But India has been diversifying its oil imports with Nigeria and Angola being reliable suppliers. Both countries contribute two per cent to the nation’s oil imports.
India’s oil import strategyhas evolved significantly over the past two-three years. India has diversified its sources of supply to about 40 countries, with India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stating that
more supply is coming onto the market from Guyana, Brazil and Canada.
In fact, since Trump’s sanctions warning, refiners in the country have already started buying crude from the United States, Middle East, West Africa, and Azerbaijan.
But some experts have agreed with the Indian Ambassador to Russia’s remarks that price will remain a huge factor for India when it comes to oil imports.
With inputs from agencies
His remarks come amid the tussle over India’s decision to continue its purchase of Russian oil even in the face of Trump’s tariffs. Earlier, India’s External Affairs Ministry said the decision was “extremely unfortunate” and noted that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national
The Indian envoy’s remarks have once again put the spotlight on the country’s energy mosaic, shaping its import landscape and influencing the country’s energy security strategies.
What has Indian envoy said on US tariffs?
In an interview with Russia’s news outlet, TASS, India’s Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, said that the US move to increase tariffs on Indian imports by 25 per cent — taking the total to 50 per cent — due to New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil is “unfair, unreasonable and unjustified”.
“First of all, we have clearly stated that our objective is energy security of 1.4 billion people of India and India’s cooperation with Russia as of several other countries has helped to bring about stability in the oil market, global oil market. So the US decision is unfair, unreasonable and unjustified. Now government will continue taking measures which will protect the national interest of the country,” Kumar was quoted by TASS.
He further added, “And the trade takes place on commercial
His comments come in the backdrop of the Donald Trump administration doubling tariffs on Indian goods to a whopping 50 per cent, including a 25 per cent additional duty for India’s purchase of Russian crude oil.
Many in the Trump administration have alleged that India’s continuous purchase of Russian crude funds its war
But which countries supply oil to India and how much?
The remark by the ambassador has shone a light on India’s dependence on oil imports. According to the National Bureau of Asian Research, India imports almost 85 per cent of the oil it requires to satisfy the appetite of an expanding economy, including a substantial refining and re-export business. In fact, the country now ranks third in the world for oil consumption and second in oil imports.
So,
But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine changed the dynamics significantly. Now, India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia. According to data available, Russia has become the top supplier to India, accounting for about 35 per cent of India’s
A new report by Finland’s Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air showed that India’s Russian oil purchases reached Rs 132 billion since early 2022, that is, when Russia’s invasion into Ukraine began.
Country-wise breakdown of India's oil imports in June. PTI
Besides Russia, India’s other big oil supplier is Iraq. In May 2023, India purchased
India also imports oil from Saudi Arabia; in FY25, India imported 14 per cent of
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also been a vital crude oil supplier to India — it has provided 10 per cent of oil to the nation. In 2024, India purchased $3.2 billion worth of crude oil from UAE in the first half of the fiscal year, compared to $9.35billion during the same period in 2023.
The US is also a key supplier of crude to India. Washington, DC contributed five per cent to
But India has been diversifying its oil imports with Nigeria and Angola being reliable suppliers. Both countries contribute two per cent to the nation’s oil imports.
What could be India’s alternatives to Russian oil?
India’s oil import strategyhas evolved significantly over the past two-three years. India has diversified its sources of supply to about 40 countries, with India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stating that
In fact, since Trump’s sanctions warning, refiners in the country have already started buying crude from the United States, Middle East, West Africa, and Azerbaijan.
But some experts have agreed with the Indian Ambassador to Russia’s remarks that price will remain a huge factor for India when it comes to oil imports.
With inputs from agencies
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