NEW DELHI(The COW News Digital) Following mounting U.S. pressure and concerns over Western sanctions, India has largely halted its purchases of Russian crude oil, according to a report by Bloomberg. The move comes amid increasing scrutiny of energy trade linked to Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Bloomberg reports that India’s five major oil refineries have not placed orders for Russian crude for December, a notable reduction given that such orders are typically finalized by the 10th of each month. This represents a significant slowdown in India’s energy dealings with Russia, which had previously been a key supplier.
The state-run refinery Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) confirmed that it will only source Russian crude from non-sanctioned suppliers going forward, signaling a cautious approach amid international pressure.
The shift follows previous U.S. measures that included the imposition of a 50 percent tariff on Indian purchases of Russian oil. The tariff aimed to discourage New Delhi from continuing energy transactions that, according to Washington, indirectly support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized India’s earlier energy purchases, stating that “India is not a good trading partner” while accusing the country of fueling Russia’s war machinery by continuing to buy crude. Following the tariff and diplomatic pressure, India assured U.S. officials that it would significantly scale back its imports from Russia.
Energy analysts say that India’s decision will have both economic and geopolitical implications. The move aligns India more closely with Western efforts to isolate Russia economically, but it also challenges Indian refineries to diversify supply sources and secure stable energy imports amid global price volatility.
While the reduction in Russian crude imports is substantial, experts note that India has not entirely stopped transactions with Russia, instead focusing on sanctioned-compliant and alternative suppliers. This strategy allows India to balance its domestic energy needs with international obligations and diplomatic considerations.
The development underscores the growing influence of U.S. diplomatic and economic pressure on global energy markets, highlighting how geopolitical considerations are reshaping trade flows and energy sourcing decisions for major economies like India
