India’s Russian Oil Purchases Drop to 3-Year Low as U.S. Supplies Rise

 India’s dependence on Russian crude oil declined sharply in December 2025, with imports touching their lowest level in nearly three years.

Official trade data shows that India bought about $2.7 billion worth of oil from Russia, marking a 38-month low. Russia’s contribution to India’s total crude imports also fell significantly — from 34% in November to around 25% in December.

At the same time, oil shipments from the United States increased compared to last year, highlighting a gradual shift in India’s energy sourcing strategy.

Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that India could reduce or even halt Russian oil purchases in exchange for lower American tariffs on Indian goods. However, New Delhi has not confirmed such a deal. Instead, officials say India is simply diversifying suppliers based on market prices and global conditions.

Compared with December last year, imports from Russia dropped by 15%, and they were down more than 27% from November levels. In quantity terms, India imported 5.8 million tonnes of Russian crude — the lowest volume seen since early 2025.

Meanwhile, the U.S. supplied $569 million worth of crude oil during December. Although this was lower than November’s spike, it was still 31% higher than the same month last year. Volumes from the U.S. rose to 1.1 million tonnes, showing steady growth.

The latest figures suggest that India is adjusting its oil buying strategy, balancing costs, supply security, and global geopolitical developments.