Reuters sources indicate that Indian oil companies, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Reliance Industries, have stopped accepting new offers for Russian oil deliveries in March and April. Nayara, a private refiner backed by Moscow, also has no plans to import Russian oil in April due to a month-long plant maintenance.

Most refiners have halted new Russian oil purchases, but some are still receiving scheduled shipments for next month. Sources suggest that refiners would only change plans and order Russian oil if advised by the government.

Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Reliance Industries, and India's Ministry of Petroleum have not commented. The country's Ministry of External Affairs stated that the strategic focus to ensure national energy security is to "diversify energy supplies in line with objective market conditions and the changing international landscape".

Crude oil receiving station in Nakhodka Bay, near Nakhodka, Russia, 12/8/2022. *Photo: Reuters*

India became the largest buyer of Russian oil after the Ukraine conflict began in early 2022. India's imports of Russian oil previously exceeded 2 million barrels per day by mid-2025, prompting reactions from Western nations.

President Donald Trump previously imposed 25% tariffs on Indian goods due to its Russian oil purchases. The tariffs were lifted on 2/2 when he announced that New Delhi had "committed to stopping, directly or indirectly," Russian oil imports. Under Trump's decree, US officials would monitor and propose re-imposing tariffs if India resumed transactions.

Last week, the US and India announced an interim framework for a trade agreement they expect to finalize in March. The framework did not mention Russian oil. New Delhi has not yet announced an official plan to halt imports. The Kremlin stated it had not received any notification from New Delhi about stopping oil purchases.

Statistics show that Russian oil flows to India fell to a two-year low in 12/2025. Amid reduced Russian oil purchases, Indian refiners are increasing imports from the Middle East, Africa, and South America.

Last month, sources revealed India's intention to cut Russian oil imports to below 1 million barrels per day by March, potentially further reducing them to 500,000 - 600,000 barrels per day, compared to an average of 1,7 million barrels per day last year.

Phien An (according to Reuters)