Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 25: India’s imports of Russian crude remain robust, tracking at around 1.8 million barrels per day, up by approximately 250,000 barrels per day from September, according to maritime data and analytics provider Kpler.

Kpler noted that Russian barrels continue to be the largest single source of crude for India, accounting for nearly 34% of total imports, offering attractive discounts that refiners find “too significant to ignore.”

The data comes days after US President Donald Trump claimed that India would “almost stop” buying Russian oil by year-end. Kpler, however, suggested that Trump’s remarks were likely pressure tactics linked to trade negotiations rather than an indication of any imminent policy shift.

India’s oil trade with Russia has been a major sticking point in talks for a favourable trade deal with the US. Despite repeated comments from Trump, New Delhi has maintained that its energy policies are guided by the need to protect consumer interests amid global volatility.

Kpler’s analysis said cutting Russian oil imports would be “difficult, costly and risky.” While Indian refiners can technically process crude from diverse sources like West Asia, Latin America and the US, substituting Moscow’s share of 30–35% would mean higher costs, weaker discounts, and possible inflationary pressure.

It added that Indian refiners are gradually diversifying their sources — not to replace Russia immediately, but to strengthen long-term energy security and flexibility.

In a related development, Reliance Industries Ltd. on Wednesday announced a recalibration of its oil imports from Russia, following new sanctions imposed by the US and Europe on Russian oil firms.