India defies Western pressure, continues Russian oil imports despite sanctions
By bellecarter // 2025-11-05
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  • Despite U.S. and EU sanctions, India imported 1.48 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil in October, reinforcing Moscow as its top supplier. State refiners like Indian Oil Corp (IOC) resumed purchases of unsanctioned Russian crude, while private firms like Reliance paused orders due to legal uncertainties.
  • Fresh U.S. sanctions targeted Rosneft and Lukoil and the EU blacklisted 117 vessels aiding Russia’s "shadow fleet." India defends its purchases as economically necessary, securing steep discounts to fuel its growing economy.
  • In June, Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhi's reliance on Russian oil. The move reflects Washington's frustration with India's refusal to align with Western sanctions fully.
  • Russia now supplies 34 percent of India's oil imports, up from negligible levels pre-Ukraine war. While the U.S. tolerates discounted purchases, it warns against significant increases that fund Russia's war effort.
  • Unlike Western allies, India and China prioritize economic stability over geopolitical alignment. With sanctions tightening, Indian refiners scramble to adjust supply chains, testing whether New Delhi can sustain its pragmatic energy strategy without facing harsher penalties.
Despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and European Union to curb purchases, India has continued importing Russian crude oil at near-record levels, securing discounted supplies to fuel its growing economy. Preliminary data from oil analytics firms Kpler and OilX shows India imported approximately 1.48 million barrels per day (bpd) in October—up slightly from September's 1.44 million bpd—reinforcing Moscow's status as New Delhi's top oil supplier. The sustained imports come as Western nations tighten sanctions on Russian energy exports, targeting major producers, as well as shipping networks accused of facilitating Moscow's "shadow fleet." Yet India, the world's third-largest oil consumer, has defended its purchases as vital for energy security, even as Washington warns that such transactions indirectly fund Russia's war in Ukraine. In late October, the U.S. imposed fresh sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, while the EU rolled out its 19th sanctions package, blacklisting over 117 vessels allegedly aiding Moscow's oil trade. The measures forced some Indian refiners—including private giant Reliance Industries—to temporarily halt new orders and seek alternative supplies in spot markets. However, state-backed refiners like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) have resumed purchases, securing five shipments of unsanctioned Russian crude for December delivery, including 3.5 million barrels of ESPO grade oil from Russia's Pacific ports. IOC had previously canceled several shipments tied to newly sanctioned subsidiaries but maintains that its transactions comply with U.S. restrictions. "The U.S. does not object if India buys Russian oil at a discount without significantly increasing its purchases," a Department of State source told Reuters anonymously. "We continue to engage our partners in India and around the world on the importance of robust collective action... to pressure Russia into ending its devastating war."

Economic necessity vs. geopolitical pressure

India's reliance on Russian crude has surged since 2022, with Moscow now supplying 34 percent of its total imports—up from negligible levels before the Ukraine conflict. The shift reflects New Delhi's pragmatic approach: securing cheap energy while navigating Western geopolitical demands. But tensions have escalated. In June, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 25 percent punitive tariff on Indian goods. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, this is because New Delhi purchases Russian oil. The move, layered atop existing trade disputes, underscored Washington's frustration with India's refusal to align with Western sanctions fully. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated last week that India is "analyzing the effects of new sanctions" but will act based on evolving circumstances. Meanwhile, private refiners like Reliance and Mangalore Refinery have paused orders pending legal clarity, while others continue sourcing from unsanctioned Russian suppliers.

The broader stakes

India's stance highlights a growing divide between Western allies and major non-aligned economies. While the U.S. and EU push to isolate Russia financially, nations like India and China—which also ramped up Russian imports—prioritize economic stability over geopolitical alignment. For New Delhi, the calculus is clear: Russia offers steep discounts, helping mitigate soaring global energy costs. With India importing over 214 million metric tons of crude in 2021—and purchases from Russia jumping from 16 million barrels in 2021 to at least 13 million this year—the economic incentive outweighs diplomatic friction. Yet the balancing act grows trickier. The U.S. Treasury has given global buyers until Nov. 21 to wind down dealings with Rosneft and Lukoil, leaving Indian refiners scrambling to adjust supply chains. As sanctions tighten, India's energy strategy remains unchanged: prioritize affordability while minimizing legal risks. While Washington tolerates discounted purchases, it has drawn a red line at significant increases that bolster Moscow's war chest. For now, India's refiners—both state and private—are navigating a fractured market, securing Russian oil where possible while hedging against further Western pressure. The coming months will test whether New Delhi can sustain this delicate balance—or if escalating sanctions force a harder choice between economic pragmatism and geopolitical alignment. Watch the video below where Trump claims India won't be buying Russian oil anymore. This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

RT.com TheMoscowTimes.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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