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Business
India Balances Russian Oil Imports Amid US Tariffs Over Ukraine War
✍️ Business Today
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 01:46 PM
👁 10
India’s government is navigating a delicate trade‑off, keeping Russian oil supplies flowing while facing US tariff pressures linked to the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.
New Delhi is walking a tightrope as the Russia‑Ukraine war reshapes global energy markets. While many Western nations have curtailed purchases of Russian crude, India’s growing demand for affordable oil has kept it among the top buyers of Moscow’s exports.
Indian officials say the decision reflects a strategic need to secure energy supplies rather than a political endorsement of Russia’s actions. At the same time, the United States has imposed tariffs on certain Russian energy products, signalling that continued imports could invite additional costs for Indian refiners.
The government is therefore calibrating its approach: it maintains the flow of Russian oil, seeks to mitigate tariff impacts through diplomatic channels, and signals willingness to cooperate with the West on broader geopolitical issues. Analysts note that any shift in policy will depend on the war’s trajectory and the evolution of US‑India trade discussions.
For now, the balancing act underscores Delhi’s broader challenge of safeguarding energy security while navigating heightened geopolitical sensitivities.
Indian officials say the decision reflects a strategic need to secure energy supplies rather than a political endorsement of Russia’s actions. At the same time, the United States has imposed tariffs on certain Russian energy products, signalling that continued imports could invite additional costs for Indian refiners.
The government is therefore calibrating its approach: it maintains the flow of Russian oil, seeks to mitigate tariff impacts through diplomatic channels, and signals willingness to cooperate with the West on broader geopolitical issues. Analysts note that any shift in policy will depend on the war’s trajectory and the evolution of US‑India trade discussions.
For now, the balancing act underscores Delhi’s broader challenge of safeguarding energy security while navigating heightened geopolitical sensitivities.