The Narendra Modi administration finds itself squeezed between mounting pressure from Washington and the strategic expectations of Moscow. As U.S. President Donald Trump intensifies his demands and Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains a firm diplomatic stance, India faces renewed scrutiny over its energy policy.
Russia on Monday dismissed Trump’s recent assertion that New Delhi has agreed to halt crude oil imports from Moscow as part of a newly signed U.S.–India trade agreement. Kremlin officials emphasized that India has long maintained the sovereign right to source oil from any country and has consistently diversified its energy imports.
During his remarks last week, Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had consented to stop buying Russian oil and instead shift procurement to the United States—and possibly Venezuela. The Kremlin has firmly rejected this narrative.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia is not India’s sole energy supplier and that New Delhi has historically purchased crude from multiple markets. He added that Moscow has received no official communication indicating that India intends to discontinue oil imports from Russia.
Despite Western efforts to isolate Moscow following the onset of the Ukraine war, India has continued to import discounted Russian crude at significant volumes. Current data shows India purchasing nearly 1.5 million barrels of Russian oil per day, accounting for more than one-third of its total crude imports. Even after the Trump administration imposed an additional 25% tariff on several Indian products, New Delhi did not scale back oil purchases from Russia.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reiterated that the hydrocarbon trade between India and Russia remains mutually beneficial and contributes to stability in the global energy market. She underscored Russia’s willingness to maintain and expand its cooperation with India.
Russian analysts and media outlets also argue that technical constraints would prevent Indian refineries from abruptly ending purchases of Russian “Urals” crude, which is heavier and more sulfur-rich. In contrast, U.S. crude is significantly lighter, and most Indian refineries are optimized for processing heavier blends. Switching to American grades, they warn, would be both costly and operationally complicated.
Source: NDTV