India Russian Oil Imports Under Fire From US
India Russian oil imports have once again come under global scrutiny after a top US trade adviser demanded New Delhi halt its purchases of Russian crude. The White House argues that India’s continued reliance on Moscow’s oil is strengthening Russia’s war economy and undermining international efforts to isolate President Vladimir Putin.
Peter Navarro, a senior US trade adviser, wrote in the Financial Times that India is acting as a “global clearinghouse” for Russian crude. According to him, India converts sanctioned Russian oil into refined exports while funneling billions of dollars back to the Kremlin. This, he said, is “deeply corrosive” to the global fight against Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
India, however, insists that it is being unfairly targeted, especially when the European Union and the United States themselves still trade with Russia, albeit at reduced levels.
Why India’s Russian Oil Imports Worry Washington
The United States is concerned that India Russian oil imports are providing Moscow with the dollars it desperately needs to sustain its war in Ukraine. Despite sweeping sanctions from the West, India has become the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China, sourcing more than 30% of its fuel from Moscow.
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods, escalating trade tensions between Washington and New Delhi. This move has already sparked political backlash in India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to protect farmers and industries from foreign economic pressure.
“India will never compromise when it comes to safeguarding the interests of its farmers,” Modi declared during his Independence Day speech, striking a defiant tone against Washington’s tariffs.
India’s Strategic Ties With Russia
India’s ties with Moscow go far beyond oil. Russia has long been one of India’s closest defense partners, supplying advanced weaponry including the S-400 missile defense system. Despite the Ukraine war, Modi has maintained warm relations with Putin, further complicating India’s balancing act between East and West.
At the same time, New Delhi has strengthened relations with Washington over the past two decades, elevating their partnership to a strategic level. Annual trade between the two countries stands at $128 billion, but Washington remains dissatisfied with the $45 billion trade deficit in India’s favor.
This tension comes at a time when the US has increasingly viewed India as a counterbalance to China’s rise. Ironically, the recent tariffs have nudged India closer to Beijing, with Modi expected to visit China later this month for high-level talks.
US Concerns Over India’s Growing Links With Russia and China
Peter Navarro warned that India’s deepening ties with both Russia and China raise serious security concerns for Washington. He argued that transferring sensitive US military technology to India is risky if New Delhi continues to strengthen its relationships with America’s adversaries.
“If India wants to be treated as a true strategic partner, it needs to start acting like one,” Navarro said.
This sentiment echoes earlier remarks by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, who criticized India’s Russian crude purchases as “not acceptable.”
India Responds: ‘Unfairly Singled Out’
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has strongly rejected Washington’s accusations, insisting that New Delhi is being unfairly singled out while Western nations continue trading with Russia.
The numbers highlight India’s argument:
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European Union trade with Russia was worth €67.5 billion ($77.9bn) in 2024, down from €257.5 billion in 2021.
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The EU still buys Russian gas worth $105.6bn since the war began, an amount equivalent to 75% of Russia’s 2024 military budget.
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US-Russia trade in 2024 stood at $5.2 billion, compared to $36 billion in 2021.
In contrast, India’s trade with Russia remains far smaller than that of the EU. Officials in New Delhi argue that Washington’s criticisms ignore this reality.
Trade Negotiations Now at Risk
Ongoing trade tensions have already affected negotiations between India and the US. Talks over a free trade agreement (FTA) were scheduled for late August but have now been called off. According to Reuters, US trade negotiators canceled their planned visit to New Delhi, delaying progress on what was expected to be a much-needed breakthrough.
Trump has long accused India of blocking American goods with high tariffs, adding further strain to the already fragile trade relationship.
What’s Next for India and the US?
The future of India Russian oil imports remains uncertain. Washington is expected to continue its pressure campaign, while New Delhi is likely to balance its energy security needs with diplomatic maneuvering.
For India, Russian oil remains an affordable and essential source of energy at a time when global fuel prices remain volatile. But aligning too closely with Moscow could harm India’s strategic ambitions with the West.
For the US, the challenge lies in pushing India to reduce Russian crude dependency without alienating one of its most important partners in Asia.
Final Thoughts
The debate over India Russian oil imports is not just about crude, it is about geopolitics, security, and global power balance. Washington wants India to pick a side, but New Delhi is determined to chart its own course, balancing energy security with diplomatic independence.
As trade talks falter and tariffs rise, the standoff may shape not just India-US ties, but also the global response to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
