WASHINGTON — The United States has stated that India has halved its imports of Russian oil, but industry sources insist no significant reductions have been observed, raising questions over conflicting narratives between governments and market insiders.
According to US officials, New Delhi has reportedly scaled down purchases of Russian crude by 50 percent, aligning partially with Western pressure to limit Moscow’s revenue streams amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. They suggested the move reflects India’s balancing act between maintaining energy security and managing its diplomatic relationships with major powers.
However, trading sources and analysts have countered these claims, saying there is no concrete evidence of substantial cuts in Russian oil shipments to India. They argue that import volumes remain steady and that market patterns show continued reliance on discounted Russian crude, which has been a key factor in India’s energy strategy since the Ukraine conflict began.
The conflicting statements highlight the geopolitical and economic complexities surrounding global energy flows. India has consistently defended its oil trade with Russia, emphasizing that its priority is to secure affordable energy for its population rather than participate in Western-led sanctions.
Observers note that while India has occasionally adjusted buying patterns for strategic or logistical reasons, there is little indication of a long-term policy shift away from Russian crude.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.