India’s Crude Imports From US Hit Record High, LNG Deal Underway

India has significantly ramped up its crude oil imports from the United States, marking a sharp 51% increase over the previous year, according to new trade data cited by news agency ANI on August 3. This dramatic rise began in January 2025, shortly after Donald Trump assumed office for his second presidential term, and underscores a notable shift in India's energy sourcing strategy.

From January to June 25, 2025, India imported an average of 0.271 million barrels per day (mb/d) of crude oil from the US. This figure is up from 0.18 mb/d during the same period in 2024. The increase was even more pronounced in the April to June quarter, with imports soaring by a remarkable 114% compared to the same months last year.

Financially, this surge has had a substantial impact. The value of India's US crude imports rose from $1.73 billion in the first quarter of 2024-25 to $3.7 billion during the corresponding period of 2025-26-more than doubling in just one year. The trend appears to be continuing, with July 2025 recording a 23% month-on-month increase in crude imports from the US compared to June.

The United States' share of India's overall crude imports has also grown. While US crude accounted for just 3% of India's total crude imports in 2024, it surged to 8% in July 2025. Forecasts suggest Indian companies may increase crude oil imports from the US by up to 150% in the current financial year.

India's energy cooperation with the US is not limited to crude oil. Imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States have also increased. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, India's LNG imports from the US reached $2.46 billion, nearly doubling the $1.41 billion recorded the previous year.

In line with this trend, negotiations are reportedly underway for a long-term LNG supply contract between the two countries. Sources indicate the potential deal could be worth tens of billions of dollars, signaling that the India-US energy relationship is entering a new phase of long-term strategic depth.

This expanding trade aligns with broader improvements in India-US relations. India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed optimism about the trajectory of bilateral ties, highlighting continued trust and mutual benefit despite global uncertainties.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that the partnership between India and the United States is founded on democratic values and shared interests, and is expected to grow stronger in the years ahead.