India Free to Source Oil Globally, Says Russia Amid Trump’s Claims

Russia has reiterated that India is fully independent in deciding where it sources its crude oil and petroleum products from, responding to recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that New Delhi may reduce purchases of Russian oil in favour of supplies from the United States and possibly Venezuela.

The Kremlin dismissed the claim as unsurprising, stating that India has always followed a diversified energy procurement strategy and has never relied on a single country for its oil needs. Russian officials underlined that there has been no official communication from India indicating a complete halt to imports of Russian crude.

Russia Sees No Shift in India’s Energy Approach

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that it is well known in global energy circles that Russia is not India’s only oil supplier. According to him, India has consistently sourced oil from multiple countries based on commercial viability and national interest.

He added that Moscow has not received any formal notification from Indian authorities regarding a decision to stop buying Russian oil. “There is nothing new or extraordinary in India diversifying its suppliers,” Peskov said, indicating that such flexibility is a standard practice for a major energy-importing nation.

The remarks came a day after President Trump claimed that India had agreed to significantly alter its crude oil sourcing pattern. While Trump presented the move as part of broader trade discussions, Indian officials have not publicly confirmed any such commitment.

Moscow Emphasises Mutual Benefits of Energy Trade

Russia’s Foreign Ministry also weighed in on the issue, stressing that hydrocarbon trade between India and Russia has been mutually beneficial. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said that cooperation in the energy sector contributes to stability in the global oil market and supports the economic interests of both countries.

She noted that Russia remains open to continuing close coordination with India in the hydrocarbons sector. According to Moscow, the India–Russia energy partnership has been driven by market logic rather than political considerations, even during periods of global volatility.

Experts Question Feasibility of Full Replacement

Energy analysts have expressed scepticism over the possibility of India completely replacing Russian crude with U.S. oil in the near future. According to Igor Yushkov, an expert at the National Energy Security Fund, technical and commercial factors limit such a transition.

He explained that U.S. shale oil exports are generally light-grade crude, while Russian supplies to India largely consist of heavier, sulfur-rich grades such as Urals. Indian refineries are configured to process a mix of crude types, and substituting Russian oil with American supplies would require blending with other grades, increasing operational costs.

Yushkov also pointed out that Russia typically exports between 1.5 and 2 million barrels of oil per day to India. Matching this volume would be challenging for the United States, given existing production and export commitments. He suggested that President Trump’s remarks may be aimed more at projecting success in trade negotiations rather than reflecting immediate changes on the ground.

Lessons From Past Market Shifts

Analysts have also recalled the global impact of earlier disruptions in oil supply chains. When Russia redirected its oil exports towards Asian markets in 2022 after losing access to parts of Europe and North America, global production adjustments led to sharp price increases. At the time, crude prices surged to around $120 per barrel, triggering record fuel prices in several countries, including the United States.

These experiences, experts argue, highlight the risks of abrupt shifts in energy trade and reinforce the need for gradual, market-driven adjustments rather than politically driven decisions.

India’s Import Dependence and Strategy

India imports nearly 88 percent of its crude oil requirements, making energy security a key policy priority. Until 2021, Russian oil accounted for a very small share of India’s total imports. However, following geopolitical tensions and the availability of discounted Russian crude, India emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian oil.

Recent data suggests that India’s imports of Russian crude have moderated slightly in early 2026 compared to mid-2025 levels. Market observers attribute this fluctuation to pricing dynamics, shipping constraints, and refinery maintenance schedules, rather than any definitive policy shift away from Russian supplies.

Despite periodic adjustments, Russia continues to remain an important component of India’s broader energy basket, alongside suppliers from the Middle East, the United States, and other regions.

Balancing Diplomacy and Energy Needs

The Russian response indicates an understanding of India’s need to balance diplomatic relationships with practical energy requirements. New Delhi has consistently maintained that its oil purchasing decisions are guided by affordability, availability, and national interest.

For now, both Russia and India appear keen to avoid framing energy trade in purely political terms. As global uncertainties persist, India is expected to keep its options open, maintaining flexibility in sourcing while ensuring stable fuel supplies for its growing economy.

While diplomatic narratives may fluctuate, the underlying structure of India’s energy strategy—diversification and pragmatism—remains firmly in place.