India to Leverage Russian Oil Import Data in Trade Deal Negotiations
India is now requiring domestic refiners to provide weekly, accurate data on Russian and U.S. crude imports. This initiative aims to equip New Delhi with verified figures for upcoming trade deal negotiations with the United States. The Trump Administration has criticized India for substantial Russian oil purchases, implementing 50% tariffs. Following U.S. sanctions on major Russian oil producers, Indian refiners have significantly reduced Russian crude imports, with December volumes projected to drop sharply, signaling India's intent to secure a trade agreement.
India's government is strategically asking domestic refiners to provide timely and accurate weekly data on their imports of both Russian and U.S. crude oil. This move is designed to strengthen India's position in ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, allowing New Delhi to present verified statistics directly to the U.S. Administration, thereby preventing reliance on potentially inaccurate secondary sources. The impetus for this action stems from prolonged, difficult trade talks where the Trump Administration has singled out India as a key financier of Russia's war spending due to its substantial acquisition of Russian crude oil.To exert pressure, President Trump doubled the tariff on India from 25% to 50% in August 2025. While India initially appeared unaffected, the landscape changed after the U.S. sanctioned Russia's two largest oil producers and exporters, Rosneft and Lukoil. This has prompted Indian refiners to significantly slash their Russian crude purchases over the past two months. Consequently, India's imports of Russian crude are expected to fall to approximately 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in December, a notable decrease from 1.84 million bpd in November, and are projected to dip below 1 million bpd as India prioritizes clinching a trade deal with the United States.
