“India Has Never Depended On Permission...”: Centre On Trump’s Russian Oil Waiver
The Indian government on Saturday reiterated that it continues to import crude oil from Russia, stressing that the country has never depended on permission from any other nation to purchase energy resources.
The statement came after the United States issued a temporary 30-day waiver allowing oil from Russia already loaded on ships to be sold to India.
The move follows rising geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, triggered by the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
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Despite the uncertainty in global energy markets, the Centre said India’s energy supplies remain stable and secure.
In a statement, the government emphasised that India purchases crude oil based on economic and national interests rather than geopolitical pressure.
“India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil,” the Centre said, adding that Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier even in early 2026.
Officials noted that India has diversified its crude oil sources from 27 countries to 40, ensuring multiple supply routes and reducing dependency on any single region.
India’s imports of Russian crude oil increased significantly after the Russia–Ukraine War began in 2022. With Western sanctions pushing Russian oil prices lower, Indian refineries took advantage of discounted crude supplies to meet growing domestic demand.
The government highlighted that this strategy helped ensure affordable fuel supplies while strengthening the country’s energy security.
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According to officials, India currently holds over 250 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products across its strategic reserves and supply chains. This stockpile can sustain the country for around seven to eight weeks of consumption.
India’s total refining capacity stands at about 258 million metric tonnes per year, which is higher than its domestic demand. This allows the country not only to meet internal fuel needs but also to export refined petroleum products globally.
Global oil markets have been volatile due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran, along with retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, have disrupted shipping routes and energy supplies.
As a result, global oil prices rose sharply, jumping about 8.5% on Friday and nearly 30% over the previous week.
(With inputs from NDTV)
