India’s Stance on Russian Oil Purchases Remains Firm, Kremlin Confirms

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that there are no indications that India plans to halt its purchases of Russian crude oil, contrary to suggestions made by President Donald Trump earlier. “We haven’t heard any statements from Delhi regarding this matter,” Peskov told reporters.

He emphasized the importance of the strategic partnership between Russia and India, mentioning, “While we respect the relationship between the U.S. and India, the development of our ties with India is crucial for us. We will continue to strengthen our bilateral relations.” This suggests a diplomatic stance aimed at not criticizing India regarding its dealings with the U.S.

On the same day, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak commented on the U.S.-India agreement, saying, “We’re just looking at the official statement” and that they would monitor how the situation unfolds. He expressed confidence in the continued demand for Russian energy resources and stated, “There is a balance, so supply will always find demand.”

Trump recently announced a trade agreement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising him as a “strong and respected leader” and one of his “greatest friends.” On his social media platform, Trump claimed that during his conversation with Modi, the topic of stopping Russian oil purchases came up, indicating that Modi had agreed to buy more oil from the U.S. and possibly Venezuela instead.

Trump’s contention is that this shift could help end the conflict in Ukraine, which has resulted in numerous casualties. However, it’s worth noting that in August, India imposed a steep 50% tariff on its purchases of Russian oil, raising questions about the sustainability of its oil imports from Russia under such conditions.

According to Trump, he would be willing to lower tariffs on India’s goods to 18% if Modi agrees to cease Russian oil purchases and comply with specific tariff concessions on U.S. imports, including energy products.

Modi did thank Trump for the trade announcement but did not explicitly comment on changes to India’s oil imports. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the White House is willing to lift the 25% punitive tariff imposed on India, contingent on the country significantly reducing or even stopping its Russian oil purchases.

India had minimal dealings with Russian oil until the Ukrainian conflict began, which opened the door for Russian oil sales at significant discounts, as other countries distanced themselves from Russia. However, despite pressure, Indian officials have consistently maintained their right to procure oil from any source, emphasizing the need to uphold strong ties with Moscow.

Recently, it was reported that a “shadow fleet” of tankers, evading sanctions, continues to transport oil to Indian ports. The possibility of India rejecting Russian tankers already in port seems unlikely, but the next few weeks will clarify whether India is reducing its imports from these shadow operations.

In terms of future projections, analysts like Niels Rasmussen estimate that by 2025, India could still be receiving a substantial portion of its oil from Russia. Cutting this trade entirely could have significant consequences for both nations, especially since Russia may struggle to find alternative buyers who can match India’s scale.

As it stands, China appears to be the only major country capable of buying Russian oil, but even it seems to be reaching its capacity. Should Trump aim to truly restrict Putin’s access to oil revenues, tightening regulations around the shadow fleet will likely be necessary.

The number of unregistered tankers in the region continues to increase, raising concerns about their safety and the potential risks they pose to legitimate shipping. Some experts warn that the so-called “dark fleet” is becoming more evasive and fragmented, which complicates oversight.