India has continued importing Russian crude oil regardless of whether U.S. sanctions waivers were in place, a senior petroleum ministry official said on Monday, underscoring New Delhi’s focus on energy security and commercial viability.
Sujata Sharma, a joint secretary at India’s petroleum ministry, told reporters that purchases from Russia had persisted before, during and after periods linked to U.S. sanctions waivers, indicating policy shifts in Washington had not altered India’s approach.
She said procurement decisions were driven primarily by commercial considerations, adding that India had secured sufficient crude supplies and faced no immediate concerns over shortages.
According to Sharma, India has repeatedly arranged adequate crude imports to meet domestic demand, reducing the likelihood that sanctions-related developments would disrupt supply flows.
Her remarks highlight India’s continued balancing of affordable energy imports with geopolitical pressures, as Russian oil remains an important source for the world’s third-largest oil consumer.
India significantly increased purchases of discounted Russian crude following Western sanctions imposed on Moscow after the conflict in Ukraine, helping refiners manage costs amid volatile global energy markets.
The comments suggest Indian authorities expect existing crude supply arrangements to remain stable despite uncertainty around future U.S. measures targeting Russian energy exports.
Sharma maintained that waiver-related changes would not materially affect India’s oil procurement strategy, emphasizing continuity in purchasing decisions.
The statement comes as global markets closely monitor sanctions policies and their potential impact on energy trade patterns and crude prices.
India’s position reinforces its longstanding emphasis on securing reliable and competitively priced energy supplies to support economic growth.