The United States Treasury Secretary has claimed that India has stopped purchasing oil from Russia, linking the move to trade measures imposed by Washington following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. The statement has drawn attention amid ongoing global scrutiny of energy trade, sanctions, and shifting geopolitical alignments.

Speaking on the issue, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that India significantly increased its imports of Russian crude oil after the Russia–Ukraine war began, taking advantage of discounted prices amid Western sanctions on Moscow. However, he claimed that this trend has now reversed.

“India started buying Russian oil after the (Ukraine) conflict began, but President Trump put a 25% tariff on them, and India has geared down and has stopped buying Russian oil,” Mr. Bessent said, suggesting that U.S. trade pressure played a decisive role in the change.

India emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude after February 2022, when Western nations imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia’s energy exports. Russian oil, sold at a discount to global benchmarks, became an attractive option for Indian refiners seeking to manage rising energy costs while ensuring supply security. The purchases were repeatedly defended by New Delhi as being in line with national interest and not in violation of international law.

The claim that India has now “stopped” buying Russian oil, however, has not yet been officially confirmed by Indian authorities. India’s government has consistently maintained that its energy sourcing decisions are based on availability, affordability, and market conditions, and that it does not align its policies with unilateral sanctions imposed by individual countries.

Energy analysts note that fluctuations in crude oil imports can occur due to multiple factors, including price changes, shipping costs, insurance constraints, refining requirements, and global demand patterns. A temporary reduction in imports does not necessarily indicate a complete halt in purchases, they caution.

The reference to a 25% tariff imposed by President Donald Trump adds another layer to the discussion. Trade tensions between the U.S. and India have surfaced periodically over tariffs, market access, and strategic alignment, even as both countries continue to strengthen defence and diplomatic ties.

India has walked a careful diplomatic line since the Ukraine war began, maintaining strong relations with both Russia and the West. While it has expanded economic engagement with Moscow, it has also deepened strategic cooperation with the U.S. and its allies through platforms such as the Quad.

Any significant shift in India’s oil import strategy could have broader implications for global energy markets and geopolitical balances. Russia, facing sanctions-related constraints, has relied heavily on Asian buyers like India and China to sustain its oil revenues.

Until an official response is issued by New Delhi, Mr. Bessent’s statement remains a claim rather than a confirmed policy shift. Observers will be closely watching import data and diplomatic signals in the coming weeks to assess whether India has indeed altered its approach to Russian oil purchases or whether the change reflects short-term market dynamics rather than a strategic realignment.