‘India has never depended on permission’: Govt draws a line on Russian oil imports amidst US waiver

Press Information Bureau says India has never needed permission to buy Russian crude even as the US allows temporary sales of cargoes stranded at sea.

• India to continue Russian oil imports despite US waiver.
• India says oil purchases are based on national interest.
• India holds over 250 million barrels in energy reserves.

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India will continue importing Russian oil even as the United States temporarily allowed sanctioned cargoes stranded at sea to be sold to Indian buyers, the government said on Saturday.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) said India’s purchases of Russian crude are not dependent on external approval.

“India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil,” the government said in a statement.

The statement added that India continued to import Russian crude as recently as February 2026, and that Russia remains India’s largest crude oil supplier.

The comments came after the US Department of the Treasury issued a temporary waiver on Thursday allowing shipments of Russian oil currently stranded at sea to be sold to Indian buyers.

The waiver was announced as global energy markets were disrupted by the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.

The conflict has pushed global crude prices sharply higher and raised concerns over energy supply routes.

The Indian government said its oil procurement decisions are based on national interest.

The Trump administration had rolled back a 25 percent tariff on Indian exports in February as part of an interim trade agreement, citing what it described as New Delhi’s “commitment” to stop purchasing Russian oil.

However, that commitment was not included in the joint statement issued after the agreement.

The Indian government has neither confirmed nor denied the claim, reiterating that its oil purchases are determined by domestic energy requirements.

The government also said India’s energy reserves remain strong despite volatility in global markets.

According to the statement, India currently holds more than 250 million barrels of crude oil and petroleum products, which can help manage short-term supply disruptions.

Global oil markets have reacted sharply to the escalating conflict in West Asia.

Crude prices rose 8.5 percent on Friday and were nearly 30 percent higher for the week after US President Donald Trump said that only the “unconditional surrender” of Iran would bring an end to the conflict.

The fighting has raised concerns about the security of energy shipping routes across the Gulf, including the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global oil supplies.

Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said officials in Washington are considering lifting sanctions on additional volumes of Russian oil.

The discussions come as governments and energy buyers seek to stabilise supply chains disrupted by the conflict and rising oil prices.