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India’s crude oil imports from Russia hit a three-year low in December 2025 as the country diversified energy sources. Russian oil’s share fell sharply, while U.S. imports rose annually, reflecting India’s market-driven and strategic approach to energy security.
Trump claimed PM Modi promised to cut Russian oil imports.
New Delhi: India’s crude oil import pattern witnessed a significant shift in December 2025, with purchases from Russia falling to their lowest level in over three years.
According to the latest trade data analysis, the value of India’s crude oil imports from Russia declined to $2.7 billion, marking a 38-month low. This drop reflects a broader strategy of diversifying energy sources amid changing global and geopolitical conditions.
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Russian crude accounted for less than one-fourth of India’s total oil imports in December 2025, falling to 24.9%. Just a month earlier, Russia’s share stood at 34%, highlighting a rapid decline.
Compared to December 2024, imports from Russia dropped by 15%, and they were 27.1% lower than the $3.7 billion worth of oil imported in November 2025.
In volume terms, India imported 5.8 million tonnes of crude oil from Russia in December, the lowest since February 2025. This decline signals a notable shift away from Russia, which had emerged as India’s top oil supplier following the Ukraine conflict and Western sanctions.
While month-on-month imports from the United States declined in December 2025, year-on-year figures showed strong growth. India imported $569.3 million worth of crude oil from the U.S. during the month.
Although this was 60.5% lower than November 2025—when imports surged to a seven-month high—it still represented a nearly 31% increase compared to December 2024.
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In volume terms, India imported 1.1 million tonnes of U.S. crude in December 2025, a 58% rise from the same month the previous year. This suggests that despite short-term fluctuations, U.S. oil is playing an increasingly important role in India’s energy basket.
The data has gained attention amid repeated claims by U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration that India would stop buying Russian oil in return for reduced U.S. tariffs on Indian exports—from 50% to 18%.
India has neither confirmed nor denied these claims. Instead, it has reiterated that its energy decisions are driven by market conditions, supply security, and evolving international dynamics, rather than political pressure.
December 2025 highlighted India’s broader diversification strategy. The country sourced crude oil from 19 different nations during the month, up from 16 in December 2024.
Among these suppliers, 10 countries increased their share in India’s crude imports, while nine saw declines. This balanced shift reflects India’s effort to reduce dependency on any single supplier and enhance energy security.
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India’s declining reliance on Russian oil and increased engagement with multiple suppliers underscore a pragmatic and flexible energy strategy.
As global politics, prices, and supply chains evolve, India appears focused on maintaining stability, affordability, and strategic autonomy in its crude oil imports.
