India To Stick With Russian Oil Imports Amid Trump’s Tariff Warning: Report

Despite recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that India has halted oil imports from Russia, Indian government officials have clarified there has been no such decision. One senior official stated that the Indian government has "not given any direction to oil companies" to reduce or stop purchasing Russian oil.

President Trump, speaking to reporters on Friday, said he had heard that India would no longer be buying oil from Russia. "Well, I understand India no longer is going to be buying oil from Russia. That's what I heard. I don't know if that's right or not, but that's a good step. We'll see what happens," Trump said. His comments are notable in light of his repeated threats to penalize nations that continue to purchase oil from Russia-revenues that help sustain Moscow's war in Ukraine.

However, According to Hindustan Times officials in India confirmed on Saturday that no changes have been made to existing policy. According to one government source cited in new reports, the Indian government has issued no instructions to oil companies regarding Russian crude.

India has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian oil since Western sanctions lowered global prices, enabling Russia to maintain vital export revenues while India secures affordable energy to power its growing economy. Earlier this week, President Trump signed an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on Indian exports, part of a broader move targeting around 70 countries. However, the document did not include any new penalties specific to India's oil imports from Russia-though such measures remain a possibility.

Responding to questions at a regular press briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "As far as sourcing India's energy requirements is concerned, we take decisions based on the price at which oil is available in the international market and depending on the global situation at that time."

President Trump has consistently criticized India's economic ties with Russia. Citing a "massive trade deficit," he claimed the U.S. has not done much business with India due to its "extremely high tariffs," which he called "among the highest in the world." He further described India as having "the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary Trade Barriers of any country" and noted that India has long sourced most of its military hardware from Russia. He also pointed out that India, along with China, is one of Russia's top energy customers, even as the international community seeks to pressure Moscow to end its war in Ukraine.

Contrary to Trump's remarks, Indian officials confirmed Saturday that the country will continue to import Russian oil despite the threat of sanctions. "These are long-term oil contracts. It is not so simple to just stop buying overnight," two Indian government officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Russia remains India's top oil supplier, contributing about 35% of the country's total oil imports. Between January and June this year, India imported approximately 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian oil-an increase of 1% from the same period last year, according to data shared with Reuters.

A second Indian official defended the ongoing imports, arguing that purchases of discounted Russian crude have helped stabilize global oil prices. This, the official said, has prevented a significant global price spike, despite Western efforts to restrict Russian oil exports.

Unlike oil from Iran or Venezuela, Russian crude is not directly sanctioned. India continues to purchase it at rates below the price cap imposed by the European Union, the source added. Still, Reuters reported this week that some Indian state refiners had paused purchases after discounts on Russian oil fell to their lowest level since 2022, when sanctions were first introduced.

According to four Reuters sources, Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp, Hindustan Petroleum Corp, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd have not placed new orders for Russian crude in the past week due to narrowing discounts, reduced Russian exports, and consistent demand.