India Stands Firm on Russian Oil: A Balancing Act of Energy Security and Diplomatic Firepower
India is staunchly defending its continued purchases of Russian crude oil, despite escalating pressure and threats of secondary sanctions from the United States and its European allies. With the overriding priority of securing its citizens' energy needs, New Delhi has warned against "double standards" from Western nations, pointing to their own historical and ongoing reliance on Russian energy.
The firm stance comes as U.S. lawmakers consider a bill that could impose 500% duties on countries continuing to buy Russian oil. This follows explicit warnings from NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who recently cautioned India, China, and Brazil – top buyers of Russian crude – that their continued trade with Moscow could "hit you very hard" if Russia does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within a 50-day ultimatum.
"We will deal with it": India's Resilient Energy Strategy
India's Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri robustly dismissed concerns over potential sanctions. "India has diversified the sources (of oil). I am not worried at all. If something happens, we will deal with it. There is sufficient supply available," Puri stated at a recent industry event in Delhi.
He emphasized that India has significantly enhanced its "navigational resilience" by expanding its crude import sources from 27 to approximately 40 countries. This strategic diversification is a cornerstone of India's energy security policy, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has repeatedly stated is paramount to the Indian consumer.
"India has been clear that it will buy oil from wherever it has to," Puri reiterated, adding that the global market is well-supplied, with increasing volumes coming from non-OPEC+ nations like Brazil, Guyana, and Canada.
The Russian Advantage: Discounts and Volume
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the subsequent Western sanctions and boycotts, India has emerged as a crucial buyer of discounted Russian crude. Russia has rapidly become India's dominant oil supplier.
In June 2025, India's crude oil imports from Russia surged to a near 11-month high of 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd).
Russia's share in India's total crude imports has consistently hovered around 40%, a stark contrast to less than 1% before the conflict.
In May 2025 alone, India imported $4.42 billion worth of crude from Russia.
Indian refiners have largely purchased Russian oil at prices below the G7-imposed $60 per barrel price cap. While critics argue the cap has been ineffective due to Russia's "shadow fleet" and practices of charging higher transportation fees, India's refineries have consistently prioritized securing oil at the most competitive rates available in the market.
"Double Standards" and Geopolitical Balancing Act
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated India's position, stating, "Securing energy needs of our people is understandably an overriding priority for us. In this endeavor, we are guided by what is there on offer in the markets, as also by the prevailing global circumstances. We would particularly caution against any double standards on the matter."
This "double standards" accusation often references the fact that European Union members continue to import significant volumes of Russian energy, including oil, LNG, and pipeline gas, despite imposing sanctions. India also highlights that many processed petroleum products refined from Russian crude in India are subsequently sold to G7+ nations.
Economic think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) has also urged India to maintain its stance, arguing that discounted Russian crude has been instrumental in managing inflation and maintaining macroeconomic stability amidst global volatility. They advise resisting US pressure, noting that altering policy under external threats might not prevent future unpredictable demands.
Broader Energy Security Strategy
India's broader energy security strategy, articulated by Minister Puri in January 2023, is four-pronged:
Diversifying energy supplies: As demonstrated by the increase in oil source countries.
Expanding domestic exploration and production: Aiming to find new hydrocarbon reserves, especially in areas like the Andaman Basin.
Promoting alternate energy sources: India has made significant strides in renewable energy, with non-fossil fuel sources now accounting for half of its power generation capacity, five years ahead of its Paris Agreement target.
Advancing the energy transition: Through increased use of gas, green hydrogen, nuclear, solar, and wind energy, alongside substantial investments in energy infrastructure.
While the threat of secondary sanctions looms, India remains resolute in its approach, prioritizing its national energy security and asserting its strategic autonomy on the global stage.
