India’s Russian Crude Oil Imports Surge 6% in August 2025, Solidifying Russia as Top Supplier
India’s imports of Russian crude oil rose sharply by about 6 percent in August 2025, reaching an estimated 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.5 million bpd in July. Russian crude now accounts for roughly 38 percent of India’s total crude imports, which stood at approximately 5.2 million bpd in the first half of August, making Russia the largest source in India’s crude oil basket.
This trend marks a strategic shift as imports from traditional suppliers like Iraq and Saudi Arabia declined in the same period. Iraqi crude imports fell to about 730,000 bpd, while Saudi Arabian shipments dropped to approximately 526,000 bpd. The United Arab Emirates, however, saw increased supplies, shipping 622,000 bpd, indicating a dynamic reshuffling of India’s crude sourcing.
The surge in Russian crude imports is largely driven by economic factors. Russian oil continues to be available at significant discounts—offered at $3 to $4 less per barrel compared to benchmarks like Brent and is cheaper than American crude, which recently came at a premium. These price advantages help India stabilize domestic fuel prices and control inflation amid global supply uncertainties.
Despite mounting pressure and tariffs imposed by the United States—who implemented a 50 percent tariff on Indian imports of Russian crude in late August—India remains committed to diversifying its energy mix and securing economic benefits. The Indian government has criticized the US for double standards, pointing out that Washington and the European Union continue to import large volumes of commodities such as LNG and uranium from Russia.
Major Indian refiners are instrumental in this shift. Reliance Industries, with its Jamnagar refinery, and Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery are among the biggest importers of Russian crude. At Jamnagar, the share of Russian crude imports surged from just 3 percent before the Ukraine conflict began to nearly 50 percent in 2025. Nayara sources about two-thirds of its crude from Russia this year, reflecting a growing dependence on discounted Russian oil to boost refining margins.
Looking back six months, India’s imports of Russian crude were already rising rapidly. In March 2025, around 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels per day of Russian crude were imported, representing approximately 36 percent of India’s total crude basket. That month saw a 41 percent month-on-month increase, signaling an accelerating trend towards Russian supplies since early 2022, when Russian oil accounted for less than 3 percent of the mix.
India’s increasing reliance on Russian crude embodies a careful balance of economic advantages and energy security considerations amid global geopolitical tensions. The move reflects pragmatism in sourcing affordable energy while addressing inflationary pressures at home and navigating complex international relations.
