India has become the largest importer of Russian oil, with the country importing over 1 million barrels in just two months from India. This sudden shift is attributed to the ongoing global sanctions on Russia, which has forced the country to seek alternative energy sources.

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The US Trade Representative (USTR) had announced plans to assess the five countries importing the largest volumes of Russian energy every 180 days. These countries include India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. The review would determine whether tariffs should be imposed on these countries if they continue to import large quantities of Russian crude oil and gas.

India's Reliance on Russian Crude Oil

Russia was not traditionally a major crude supplier to India, but that changed after Moscow signed the Iran Act in 2026. The act allows the US President to levy tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase large quantities of crude oil and gas from Russia if the bill becomes law.

Overall, about 40% of Russia's reliance on Russian crude oil has risen to record levels. This is a significant shift from previous years, with the country facing pressure from US sanctions and global demand for energy resources.