India will preserve buying oil from Russia regardless of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of penalties, two Government sources informed The New York Times, not wishing to be recognized due to the sensitivity of the matter.
“These are long-term oil contracts,” one of many sources mentioned. “It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight.”
Mr. Trump final month indicated in a Truth Social put up that India would face extra penalties for purchases of Russian arms and oil. On Friday (August 1, 2025), Mr. Trump informed reporters that he had heard that India would now not be shopping for oil from Russia.
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The New York Times on Saturday (August 2, 2025) quoted two unnamed senior Indian officers as saying there had been no change in Indian government coverage, with one official saying the government had “not given any direction to oil companies” to in the reduction of imports from Russia.
Reuters reported this week that Indian state refiners stopped shopping for Russian oil prior to now week, following a narrowing of reductions in July.
Country-wise Breakdown of Import Volumes
| Photo Credit:
PTI GRAPHICS
“On our energy sourcing requirements … we look at what is there available in the markets, what is there on offer, and also what is the prevailing global situation or circumstances,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal informed reporters throughout a daily briefing on Friday.
Mr. Jaiswal added that India has a “steady and time-tested partnership” with Russia, and that New Delhi’s relations with numerous international locations stand on their very own benefit and shouldn’t be seen from the prism of a 3rd nation.
The White House in Washington didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
Indian refiners are pulling again from Russian crude as reductions shrink to their lowest since 2022, when Western sanctions had been first imposed on Moscow, due to decrease Russian exports and regular demand, sources mentioned earlier this week.
The nation’s state refiners — Indian Oil Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp and Mangalore Refinery Petrochemical Ltd — haven’t sought Russian crude prior to now week or so, 4 sources acquainted with the refiners’ buy plans informed Reuters.
India’s prime oil provider
On July 14, Mr. Trump threatened 100% tariffs on international locations that buy Russian oil until Moscow reaches a serious peace cope with Ukraine. Russia is the highest provider to India, chargeable for about 35% of India’s total provides.
Russia continued to be the highest oil provider to India through the first six months of 2025, accounting for about 35% of India’s total provides, adopted by Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and shopper, acquired about 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil in January-June this yr, up 1% from a yr in the past, in accordance to information offered to Reuters by sources.
Nayara Energy, a serious purchaser of Russian oil, was lately sanctioned by the European Union because the refinery is majority-owned by Russian entities, together with oil main Rosneft .
Last month, Reuters reported that Nayara’s chief government had resigned after the imposition of EU sanctions and firm veteran Sergey Denisov had been appointed as CEO.
Three vessels laden with oil merchandise from Nayara Energy have but to discharge their cargoes, hindered by the brand new EU sanctions on the Russia-backed refiner, Reuters reported late final month.
