India will continue Russian oil imports despite U.S. pressure, say officials

India will not halt Russian oil purchases, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threat of sanctions, Indian officials told Reuters and The New York Times.

India will keep buying oil from Russia under long-term agreements, two Indian government sources told Reuters, pushing back against recent threats by U.S. President Donald Trump. “These are long-term oil contracts,” one source said. “It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.”

Trump said on Friday he had heard that India would stop Russian oil imports, following earlier warnings of 100% tariffs on countries continuing energy trade with Moscow. But Indian officials, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, confirmed there had been “no change in government policy” and that oil companies had received no orders to reduce imports.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reinforced that New Delhi's energy decisions are guided by market realities. “We look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation,” ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters. He added that India has a “steady and time-tested partnership” with Russia and that relations with all countries “stand on their own merit”.

The White House has not issued a response.

While Indian state refiners – including Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd – have reportedly paused new Russian purchases in recent days due to diminishing discounts, Russian oil still accounts for about 35% of India’s total oil imports.

From January to June 2025, India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, received roughly 1.75 million barrels per day from Russia – a 1% increase from the same period last year, according to sources cited by Reuters.

However, the sector has come under further scrutiny. Nayara Energy, which is partly owned by Russia’s Rosneft and a major buyer of Russian oil, was recently sanctioned by the European Union. Its CEO resigned following the sanctions, and several of its oil tankers have yet to discharge cargoes.

Despite international pressure, India’s approach suggests it is prioritising energy security and economic pragmatism over geopolitical demands.

Copied