India Denies Claims of Reducing Russian Oil Imports
Indian industry sources have refuted the information regarding the reduction of Russian oil imports despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. It is clarified that India has not received any requests to decrease purchases.
The previous report about a 50% reduction in Russian oil imports surfaced after discussions by an Indian delegation in Washington. During these talks, which a White House representative described as productive, the issue of reducing India’s dependency on Russian oil was addressed. However, sources in the Indian oil refining industry claim that refineries have not received official requests to cut down imports. They state that companies have already ordered oil supplies for November, including some deliveries in December.
Currently, Russian oil remains a point of tension between the U.S. and India. The U.S. administration believes that profits from oil sales aid in financing Russia’s military actions against Ukraine. In response to the purchase of Russian oil, Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods.
According to estimates by Kpler, the import of Russian oil to India is expected to rise by 20% in October — reaching 1.9 million barrels per day. This increase has been facilitated by Russia ramping up exports following Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries.
Simultaneously, India has begun to diversify its energy supply sources. Reportedly, two Indian refineries have ordered 4 million barrels of crude oil from Guyana with Exxon Mobil for delivery at the end of 2025 to early 2026. Official comments from the Indian Ministry of Petroleum have not yet been received.
Analysts note that a shift in energy suppliers could significantly impact geopolitical relations in the region. Prolonged disputes between the U.S. and India could affect other areas of cooperation between the countries.
| Country | Oil Import from Russia, barrels/day | Expected Growth in October, % |
|---|---|---|
| India | 1,900,000 | 20% |
