India Continues as Leading Buyer of Russian Crude in September Amid 29% Decline in Imports Since July
India has retained its position as the largest importer of Russian crude oil in September, despite a nearly 29% decline in imports from July levels. According to ship-tracking data from Kpler, India imported approximately 1.82 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude, surpassing China’s 1.49 million bpd. Indian imports had peaked at 2.6 million bpd in June and 2.57 million bpd in July before dropping to 2.02 million bpd in August.
The decrease in imports comes amid U.S. pressure on countries purchasing Russian oil, including potential tariffs and sanctions. However, analysts suggest that the decline is influenced more by supply constraints and increased competition from China rather than solely by U.S. actions. Sumit Ritolia, a senior manager at Kpler, noted that the moderation in India’s Russian imports is not just a reaction to U.S. tariff pressure; tighter availability and stronger competition from China have also played significant roles.
Competition from China
Chinese refiners have ramped up their purchases of Russian crude in recent months, partly due to reduced access to Iranian oil, intensifying competition for available supplies. Kpler anticipates that India’s Russian crude imports will stabilize at around 1.8 million to 1.9 million bpd in October based on current cargo tracking.
U.S. Pressure and Diesel Deal
India’s reliance on Russian crude continues amid U.S. efforts to discourage such purchases. In September, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which allows tariffs of up to 100% on imports from countries buying Russian oil. However, the application of these tariffs is at the president’s discretion, affecting major buyers like India and China.
On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply over 300,000 tonnes of diesel to U.S. and global markets. This arrangement included a temporary easing of U.S. sanctions on Russian fuel to boost supplies and manage prices ahead of the November midterm elections. The move has faced criticism from Ukraine and some European leaders, who argue that it could provide Moscow with additional revenue amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
In addition to Russian supplies, Venezuelan crude has started to re-enter India’s import mix this year. Shipments from Venezuela began to accelerate in April, with exports reaching around 250,000 bpd in August and 257,000 bpd in September.
Observer Voice is the one stop site for National, International news, Sports, Editor’s Choice, Art/culture contents, Quotes and much more. We also cover historical contents. Historical contents includes World History, Indian History, and what happened today. The website also covers Entertainment across the India and World.
