India To Increase Russian Oil Imports Despite U.S. Tariff

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) India plans to increase Russian oil imports in September, prioritizing affordable energy over U.S. tariffs, benefiting refineries while highlighting geopolitical and economic pragmatism.
India is set to increase its imports of Russian oil in September, signaling that New Delhi is continuing trade with Moscow despite U.S. punitive tariffs. The move underscores India's focus on securing affordable energy amid global market volatility.

According to Reuters, India has emerged as the largest buyer of Russian oil following Western sanctions. Indian refineries are benefiting from discounted crude, which helps stabilize domestic fuel prices and supports energy security.

On Wednesday, the U.S. government under President Donald Trump imposed a 50 percent tariff on imports from India, accusing New Delhi of“profiting” from Russia's discounted oil and undermining sanctions' effectiveness.

Indian officials have pushed back, arguing that the West is practicing a“double standard.” They note that both the U.S. and European Union continue to purchase billions of dollars' worth of goods from Russia, highlighting perceived hypocrisy in Western trade policies.

Indian media outlets, including NDTV, report that India's energy strategy prioritizes economic pragmatism over political alignment. Analysts point out that Russian oil provides refineries with cheaper input costs, strengthening domestic fuel supply stability.

The decision also reflects India's broader geopolitical balancing act-maintaining relations with major global powers while safeguarding its energy interests. New Delhi continues to navigate sanctions carefully without fully aligning against any major actor.

Experts warn that U.S. tariffs may strain Indo-U.S. trade relations, but India is unlikely to change its energy strategy in the short term. Economic imperatives continue to outweigh diplomatic pressures in guiding its oil procurement decisions.

Observers suggest that India's stance could influence other energy-importing nations, emphasizing cost-efficiency and pragmatism over alignment with Western sanctions, potentially reshaping global energy trade dynamics.

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