India has significantly reduced its oil imports from Russia, with January deliveries falling 40% from December and more than halving compared to the same period last year.

According to a report by international pricing agency Argus, imports declined to 859,000 barrels per day (3.68 million tonnes), the lowest level since June 2022, The Caspian Post reports, citing RBC.

Data from India’s Commerce Ministry showed that total purchases of Russian oil in 2025 decreased by 5% to 84.86 million tonnes. In December 2025 alone, imports were down 4% year-on-year and 25% compared to November, totaling 5.78 million tonnes.

The reduction is largely attributed to mounting pressure from the United States and New Delhi’s efforts to secure favorable trade terms with Washington. In January, Russian oil accounted for 21.2% of India’s total crude imports, according to Reuters - the lowest share since October 2022, when India had begun ramping up purchases following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.

To offset the decline in Russian supplies, India has increased imports from the Middle East, which now account for 55% of its total crude purchases. Saudi Arabia has emerged as the country’s leading supplier. Data from Kpler suggest Saudi shipments could reach between 1 million and 1.1 million barrels per day in February - the highest level since November 2019.

India has also resumed buying Venezuelan crude, ordering at least 6 million barrels for April delivery, according to Argus. Indian refiners BPCL and HMEL each purchased 1 million barrels of Venezuela’s Merey grade through trader Vitol. Venezuelan oil is priced roughly $15 per barrel below Brent, making it attractive to Indian refineries, many of which are configured to process heavier crude grades.

On February 7, US President Donald Trump lifted 25% tariffs on Indian goods, stating that New Delhi had committed to ending direct or indirect imports of Russian oil. Indian authorities have not formally announced a complete halt to such purchases. However, Trump indicated that US officials would monitor developments and could reimpose tariffs if imports resumed.

After the war in Ukraine began in 2022, India became the largest buyer of Russian crude, which was offered at steep discounts due to Western sanctions. Shipments peaked at around 2 million barrels per day by mid-2025 but have since declined amid sustained pressure from the US and EU. Reuters reports that India plans to reduce imports further to between 500,000 and 600,000 barrels per day in the spring.