Sources in New Delhi indicate that since President Donald Trump resumed his presidency, there has been a significant rise in crude oil imports from the United States to India.
From January to June 25, India reportedly boosted its average crude oil imports from the US by 51% compared to the same timeframe last year.
This upward trend seems to be gaining momentum, with US crude purchases in India soaring 114% in the second quarter of 2025, translating to nearly $2 billion for US exporters.
The trend continued into July, with imports increasing by 21% as well.
There’s also an expectation that India’s imports of other energy products like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) will see a significant rise in 2025, alongside a projected 150% increase in US crude oil purchases. Notably, LNG imports nearly doubled in 2024.
It appears this is just the tip of the iceberg, as ongoing discussions are reportedly in place regarding long-term LNG contracts worth substantial amounts.
Currently, India is engaged in intense trade negotiations with the US, which appear to be a mix of friendly but somewhat secretive tactics, as President Trump has urged collaboration between India and Russia to stabilize their economies.
India seems to be keen on securing a broad trade agreement with the Trump administration swiftly, but its recent criticism—particularly regarding the retention of protective agricultural tariffs and considerable oil imports from Russia—has complicated those discussions.
Since the onset of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has managed to acquire Russian oil at reduced prices, as many of Moscow’s traditional clients have pulled out.
Senior White House Advisor Stephen Miller criticized India for its continued purchases of Russian oil, asserting that this financing of the war is unacceptable.
He expressed concern that India’s actions create a bond with China through the Russian oil dealings, a point he found quite startling.
Despite warnings from the US about potential penalties on Russian oil deals, reports indicate that India remains committed to its long-term agreements, even in the face of potential sanctions on its exports.
Industry insiders mentioned that halting purchases overnight is impractical, and one suggested that India is navigating high global oil prices by sourcing its Russian supplies while benefiting consumers.
Confirmed reports indicated that Indian state refiners remain uncommunicative about their Russian oil purchases, halting transactions from Russia in July and reducing that stream by about 40%. This pause was likely motivated by decreased discounts from Russia, prompting state refiners to explore alternatives in the Middle East and West Africa.
These developments, paired with the rising imports from the US, may reflect a compromise to appease Trump’s administration. With a notable drop in Russian purchases and an increase in US sourcing, New Delhi hopes that external developments will lead to an end to the conflict in Ukraine before it must make choices that could jeopardize long-standing ties with Russia.
On Sunday, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) announced spot purchases of 4.5 million barrels from the US, in addition to another 2.5 million from Canada and Abu Dhabi. This move appears to be part of a strategy to compensate for the decline in Russian imports.
