India increased import of crude oil from Russia in June
Cheap crude oil from Russia gave India a big relief in the last two years. Petrol and diesel prices in the domestic market were under control and the pressure on foreign exchange reserves also decreased slightly. But now this oil is increasing India’s difficulties in the eyes of America.
US President Donald Trump has clearly stated that India will now have to pay 25 percent tariffs and besides a separate penalty. Trump says that India is doing excessive trade with Russia, that too at a time when the world is making distance from Russia.
Russia becomes the largest oil supplier for India
Before the Russia-Ukraine war, India used to ask for a very limited amount of oil from Russia. By January 2022, the stake of crude oil coming from Russia was just 0.2%. At that time most of India’s oil imports were from West Asian countries like Iraq, Saudi Arabia and UAE, but as soon as the Russia-Ukraine war started in February 2022, the whole picture started changing. Western countries imposed economic sanctions on Russia, in response to which Russia started giving huge discounts on its crude oil. Taking advantage of this opportunity, India rapidly increased imports from Russia. In a few months, Russia became the largest oil supplier for India.
According to the Global Energy Tracking Agency named Kepler, India was buying only 68,000 barrels per day (BPD) oil from Russia in January 2022. But by June 2022, Russia surpassed Iraq and Saudi Arabia and achieved the position of India becoming the number-1 oil supplier.
The situation continued to strengthen. In May 2025, India imported around 19.6 lakh barrels per day from Russia, the highest level of the last 10 months. At the same time, according to initial data in June 2025, Indian refineries are getting oil from Russia from 20 to 22 lakh barrels per day. This is not only the war of war, but also the highest level of the last two years.
Not only this, this quantity is now more than the total oil imports received from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait. That is, Russia has now become the most trusted and largest oil supplier for India, leaving behind West Asia.
Trump attacked by telling friends
Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, India is our friend, but he has done relatively less business with us because he puts a lot of tariffs. India has the most tariffs in the world.
He also said that India is still doing huge amount of military and oil trade from Russia, which is not good in the current global situation. When the whole world is pressurizing Russia to retreat from Ukraine, this attitude of India cannot be considered right, Trump said.
With this, he announced that 25% tariff will be applicable to India from August 1, and in addition a separate fine will also be charged. However, it was not mentioned how and what products this fine would be imposed.
Is there any loss in friendship with Russia?
Buying cheap oil from Russia has been a completely beneficial deal for India so far. When the rest of the world, especially western countries, were buying oil at expensive prices, then India ordered crude oil from Russia in huge discounts. This not only met the energy needs of the country, but also inflation was under control and there was a good savings of foreign currency.
But now this deal seems to be a diplomatic challenge for India. Important strategic partners like America do not like India’s inclination. Recently, it is clearly shown to be angry with some business decisions and tariff signals. Actually, it is not just a matter of business, it is an indication that if you are not able to balance the Bhurajnical, then even cheap deals may have to pay a price.
Now the real challenge before India is that it maintains its economic interest from Russia on one side, and on the other hand, do not even spoil their strategic and diplomatic relations with America and European countries. In the coming time, the country will have to take very thoughtful steps, where it is very important to maintain a balance between energy security and foreign policy.