India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, has unequivocally stated that Russian oil purchases are not an inherent part of the India-US trade deal. Speaking exclusively to CNBC-TV18, Goyal clarified that while the US will monitor India’s future crude oil imports from Russia—a decision following the removal of a 25 percent tariff on Indian exports—this issue falls under the purview of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), led by S Jaishankar. He redirected specific inquiries about the US comment’s implications to the foreign office, emphasizing the diplomatic channel for such matters.
This development comes as India adjusts its energy sourcing. The nation has notably reduced its crude oil imports from Russia, a move reportedly influenced by the US President’s objective to curtail Russia’s oil revenues and its capacity to finance the Ukraine conflict. Bloomberg data reveals Russian crude deliveries to India decreased to approximately 1.12 million barrels per day, reaching the lowest level since November 2022, down from 1.2 million in December.
Conversely, India has significantly bolstered its oil procurement from the United States, with imports surging 31 percent to $569.3 million in December 2025 year-on-year. The Ministry of External Affairs has also reiterated India’s commitment to diversifying its energy sources. On February 5, the MEA confirmed New Delhi remains open to exploring new commercial crude supply options, including from Venezuela, to ensure robust energy security for its vast population of 1.4 billion people, balancing its global energy diplomacy.