On August 3, 2025, India reaffirmed its commitment to continue purchasing oil from Russia, undeterred by U.S. warnings and threats of tariffs.

Indian officials clarified that no directive has been issued to halt or reduce oil imports from Russia, the country’s largest supplier, accounting for roughly 35% of India’s crude oil needs.

Long-term contracts with Russian suppliers, coupled with favorable pricing, make an abrupt cessation of imports unfeasible.

“These are long-term oil contracts; it’s not so easy to stop purchases overnight,” a senior Indian government source told Reuters, emphasizing the strategic importance of maintaining stable energy supplies for India’s 1.4 billion population.

U.S President Donald Trump had announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods and hinted at additional penalties if India continued its oil trade with Russia.

However, India’s foreign ministry, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, asserted that the country’s “steady and time-tested” relationship with Russia stands on its own merit and is guided by market dynamics and global circumstances.

Despite India’s firm stance, some state-owned refineries, including Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum, Bharat Petroleum, and Mangalore Refinery, have recently paused purchases of Russian crude.