India Gets US Permission To Buy Russian Oil For 30 Days

With tensions in West Asia disrupting global energy flows, the United States has granted India a temporary waiver to continue importing Russian crude oil. The 30‑day exemption, announced on Thursday by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, comes as shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz face severe challenges following escalating conflict in the Gulf.

Bessent said that the waiver is designed to ease immediate supply pressures without significantly benefiting Moscow. "This short‑term measure only authorizes transactions involving oil already stranded at sea. India is a vital partner, and we expect New Delhi to increase purchases of US oil in the future," he said. The move, he added, was intended to counter Iran's attempts to "take global energy hostage."

The decision follows a dramatic escalation in regional tensions after a joint US‑Israel strike on February 28 inside Iran, which reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures. The fallout has raised fears of instability across the Middle East, a region that supplies nearly 40 percent of India's crude imports. Much of this oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint now under threat.

For India, the waiver provides breathing space at a critical juncture. Government sources have told news agency ANI that the country is reviewing its energy situation twice daily and remains in a "comfortable position" regarding stock levels. Crude oil, LPG, and LNG supplies are being replenished regularly, ensuring that households and industries face no immediate shortages.

Officials told the news agency that India is in touch with multiple suppliers worldwide to diversify sourcing and mitigate risks. While Russian crude continues to arrive under existing contracts, New Delhi is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and keeping contingency plans ready. Adequate inventories and diversified supply lines, sources said, will help India withstand potential disruptions.

The waiver highlights India's balancing act in global energy diplomacy. On one hand, it underscores the country's reliance on Middle Eastern oil and the vulnerability of its supply chains to geopolitical shocks. On the other, it reflects Washington's recognition of India's strategic importance and its need for uninterrupted energy flows.

As the Gulf crisis deepens, the coming weeks will test India's ability to safeguard its energy security while navigating complex international pressures. For now, the US waiver offers a temporary cushion, but the long‑term challenge of securing stable and diversified energy supplies remains firmly on the horizon.