Overview
- Tanker‑tracking firm Kpler reports India’s Russian crude imports fell to about 1.1 million barrels per day in January, the lowest since November 2022, while China’s intake hit a record high.
- Fresh European Union restrictions on products linked to Russian crude have raised compliance risks for Indian export refineries, prompting a rethink in sourcing, according to industry data and analysis.
- Indian government data show April–December 2025 imports of Russian-origin crude by value dropped more than 17% year on year to $33.1 billion, while U.S. crude purchases rose about 65.6% to $8.2 billion.
- The value of India’s Russian crude imports fell sharply in December 2025 to $2.71 billion, more than 35% lower than November, as officials reiterated no directive to stop such purchases and stressed energy security.
- Russia’s overall oil supply declined by roughly 350,000 barrels per day in January, the IEA estimates, while separate reports say India has asked refiners to evaluate U.S. and Venezuelan barrels that analysts note are costlier or less compatible with many Indian plants.