India has steadily diversified its oil imports in recent years, moving from heavy reliance on discounted Russian barrels toward greater purchases from the U.S. Still, New Delhi is unlikely to fully abandon Russian crude. While U.S. imports are rising, this shift looks more like risk management than a structural change. India may adjust volumes, but it will not yield entirely to U.S. pressure. Energy security remains paramount.
Trade tensions, refined products, and shifting alliances
India’s oil imports, now near 5 million barrels per day, serve not only domestic needs but also its role as a global refining hub. Russian crude has helped curb inflation at home while stabilizing global markets by supplying refined products back to Europe. Even Washington quietly acknowledged this during the energy crisis. Yet rising U.S. tariffs on Indian exports add fresh strain. Uncertainty over U.S. policy is prompting India to diversify partnerships. Every day brings a new jolt, and with ties softening toward China and growing links to Africa and Latin America, India is recalibrating its global position.