Despite Donald Trump's warnings, India persists in purchasing Russian oil, according to various news reports.
In a move that underscores ongoing geopolitical tensions, India has chosen to continue buying Russian oil despite threats of U.S. sanctions and potential tariff hikes.
As of August 2025, India remains one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude oil. Despite a slight decline in its overall crude oil imports in July, Indian imports of Russian oil rose by 8% month-on-month in June, largely driven by three Indian refineries that also export refined products to G7+ countries.
The U.S. President, Donald Trump, has threatened to impose significantly higher tariffs on India in response to its continued purchases of Russian crude oil. Trump stated he would "very substantially" raise tariffs above the current 25% level within 24 hours as a punitive measure for India not stopping its Russian oil imports.
The Trump administration accuses India of indirectly financing Russia’s war in Ukraine with these imports, but India has publicly asserted its right to pursue its national interests and refused to curb its oil trade with Russia.
The Indian Foreign Ministry has responded to these threats, advising the U.S. not to interfere in Russia-India relations and telling them to "mind their own business." Two sources in the Indian government confirmed this information to the Reuters agency.
India's annual trade with the U.S. is nearly $150 billion, making it a top trading partner. However, the Indian government has stated that it will not intensify relations with the U.S.
On July 31, four state-owned oil refineries in India had suspended purchases of Russian oil. However, on August 1, it became known that NPPs in India, including state-owned IOC, BPCL, and HPCL, continue to buy oil from Russia. The Indian government has not given instructions to oil companies to reduce imports from Russia.
Russia is considered a beneficial oil supplier for India, as Russian oil is cheap. Moreover, Russia has been a good friend of India for over half a century, and Trump's threats are not expected to ruin these relations.
On July 14, Trump said that the U.S. would impose 100% secondary tariffs on Russia's trading partners if a peace agreement in Ukraine is not reached within 50 days (by September 2). Despite this, India has continued to buy oil from Russia.
This decision by India to continue its oil trade with Russia despite U.S. threats highlights the complexities of global energy politics and the challenges of enforcing sanctions. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming weeks.
The Indian government continues to import a significant portion of crude oil from Russia, with these imports increasing by 8% in June 2025. Despite threats of increased tariffs from the U.S. President, Donald Trump, India has chosen to maintain its oil trade with Russia, citing its national interests and the beneficial cost of Russian oil.
