India’s purchases of Russian crude oil are projected to rise in September, even as Washington continues to urge New Delhi to scale back its reliance on discounted Russian supplies, industry sources suggest.

Shipping and trade data indicate that several cargoes of Russian crude are scheduled to arrive at Indian ports next month, marking an increase from recent months when import levels had moderated.

 

The rise comes as refiners in India continue to seek cost advantages from Russian barrels, which are often priced below global benchmarks.India has maintained that its energy decisions are guided by domestic demand and affordability, stressing that it will source crude from a wide range of suppliers to ensure security of supply. The country, the world’s third-largest oil consumer, has also highlighted that global energy markets remain highly volatile, requiring flexible procurement strategies.

 

While the US and its allies have imposed sanctions and price caps on Russian oil exports in response to the Ukraine conflict, India has not joined those measures. Instead, it has emerged as one of the key buyers of Russian crude, refining much of it for domestic consumption and re-export as petroleum products. Analysts say India’s strategy underscores its balancing act of maintaining strategic partnerships with Western nations while protecting its economic interests in energy security.