New Delhi: The US sanctions on Russia’s largest oil firms, Rosneft and Lukoil, have raised concerns over India’s energy security and trade relations with the US.
Announced by President Donald Trump to curb Moscow’s oil revenues and pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war, the move directly affects India, which has become a major buyer of discounted Russian crude.
India imported nearly 1.7 million barrels per day of Russian crude in the first nine months of 2025, making it the largest buyer of seaborne Russian oil since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These imports have helped stabilise domestic fuel prices amid global energy market volatility.
However, the US sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil could disrupt these supplies, prompting Indian refiners to review their procurement channels.
According to reports, Trump stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India “was not going to buy much oil from Russia” to support efforts to end the war. However, India has reiterated that its energy purchases are guided by domestic priorities, focusing on affordability and supply security rather than geopolitical pressures.
Experts warn that the sanctions may affect bilateral trade and force Indian refiners to adjust sourcing strategies. Edward Fishman, a former senior US State Department sanctions official, said the broader impact hinges on enforcement: “Whether this marks a long-term, strategic squeeze on Russia’s oil revenues, the lifeblood of Putin’s economy, will depend on the US commitment to active, ongoing enforcement.”
Reports highlighted that Indian state refiners, including Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Mangalore Refinery, have started reviewing shipping documents for Russian crude cargoes to ensure no supplies are coming directly from Rosneft or Lukoil.
However, the move highlights India’s careful balancing act, securing affordable energy while navigating geopolitical and trade pressures from the US.
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