By Alexander Miller, consultant in energy markets. Eurasia Business News, September 19, 2025. Article n°1794
India continues to import substantial amounts of Russian crude oil in 2025, driven by favorable pricing and reinforced by its strategic ties with Russia as part of the broader BRICS relationship. Russian crude accounted for about 39% of India’s oil imports by the end of 2023, rising sharply from just 2% in 2021, and this trend has persisted with imports remaining high in 2024 and 2025. India benefits from steep discounts on Russian crude compared to other suppliers, saving billions annually, and the chemistry of Russian oil suits Indian refinery configurations well.
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This continued importation occurs despite U.S. and European sanctions on Russian oil and recent tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Indian goods aimed at pressuring India to reduce its Russian oil purchases. The Indian government and refiners have maintained that they will keep buying Russian oil as long as it remains economically advantageous and supports domestic fuel demand. The purchasing of Russian crude is also part of India’s broader diplomatic and economic relations within the BRICS grouping, highlighting India’s strategic balancing act between Western partners and traditional ties with Russia.
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Recent reports indicate that India nearly matched China as Russia’s top crude buyer in mid-2025, with imports valued around €2.9 billion in August 2025. Indian refiners, including major companies like Reliance and Nayara Energy, have no plans to reduce purchases despite international pressure, continuing to see Russian crude as a competitive and strategic supply source.
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© Copyright 2025 – Eurasia Business News. Article no. 1794