India imports $3bn Russian crude in August despite US pressure

By Admin

13 Sep, 2025

India’s energy strategy continues to spark debate on the global stage, as New Delhi maintained robust imports of discounted Russian crude oil in August 2025, despite mounting pressure from Washington. According to the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), India imported €2.9 billion ($3 billion) worth of Russian crude oil in August, nearly matching China’s €3.1 billion.

Rising Imports Amid Global Shifts

India’s August crude imports rose from €2.7 billion in July, while China’s purchases dropped significantly from €4.1 billion in the same period. This shift positioned India as one of Russia’s top crude customers, underlining its strategy of securing affordable energy to meet growing domestic demand.

Broader Fossil Fuel Trade

Overall, India’s fossil fuel imports from Russia totaled €3.6 billion in August, comprising:

• €2.9 billion in crude oil
  
  

• €510 million in coal
  
  

• €282 million in refined oil products
  
  

China remained the top buyer of Russian crude and coal, while Turkey emerged as the leading importer of Russian oil products and gas. Turkey ranked third overall with €3 billion in fossil fuel imports, followed by the EU (€1.2 billion) and South Korea (€564 million).

US Pressure and Tariff Response

The United States has intensified calls for India to cut back on Russian oil purchases, arguing that such imports indirectly fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. In a move widely seen as retaliatory, Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports effective August 27 and pushed the EU to consider 100% tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods.

India Pushes Back

India has rejected the criticism, calling it “unfair” to single out New Delhi while other major economies including China and the EU continue trading energy with Russia. Indian officials have also highlighted that the US itself has not outright banned Russian oil but instead implemented a price cap mechanism, allowing imports below a certain threshold.

Strategic Balancing Act

The development underscores India’s delicate balancing act: securing energy affordability for its citizens and industries while navigating geopolitical tensions with Western partners. With demand for energy projected to rise further, India’s reliance on Russian supplies appears unlikely to wane in the near term, even as global scrutiny intensifies.