US President Donald Trump said the United States has temporarily allowed India to continue purchasing Russian crude oil in order to ease pressure on global energy markets as tensions escalate across West Asia.
Trump’s remarks came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that Washington had granted India a temporary waiver to continue certain Russian oil transactions amid rising security concerns in the Middle East.
The move comes at a time when geopolitical tensions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz have raised fears of disruptions to global oil supply routes.
Trump Says Decision Meant to Stabilise Energy Markets
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the temporary relaxation was aimed at reducing pressure on global energy markets.
“If there were some, I would do it just to take a little of the pressure off,” Trump said when asked about allowing Russian oil shipments to India.
He also suggested that global oil supply remains strong despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
“I think that the oil pressure — there’s a lot of oil. We’ve got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount, and there’s a lot of oil out there. That’ll get healed very quickly,” Trump added.
His comments indicate that Washington is attempting to balance sanctions on Russia with the need to maintain stability in global energy markets during the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Does India Need US Permission to Import Russian Oil?
Despite the US announcement, Indian government sources made it clear that New Delhi does not require approval from any country to purchase crude oil.
Officials said India will continue to buy oil from whichever supplier offers the most competitive price.
“India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil,” government sources said.
India confirmed that it has continued importing Russian crude even during the Russia-Ukraine War, which began in 2022 and triggered sanctions by the US and European countries on Moscow.
How Much Russian Oil Does India Import and When Did Russia Become Its Largest Supplier?
According to government data, Russia has emerged as India’s largest crude oil supplier over the past three years.
Before the Ukraine war, Russian crude accounted for only about 0.2 percent of India’s total oil imports. However, discounted prices offered by Moscow after Western sanctions led to a sharp rise in purchases.
In February 2026, India imported approximately 1.04 million barrels of crude oil per day from Russia, representing nearly 20 percent of its total imports. The figure is based on official government data shared with energy monitoring agencies and industry reports tracking India’s crude import patterns.
The surge in imports since 2022 reflects India’s strategy of securing affordable energy supplies to support its rapidly growing economy.
Why Is the Strait of Hormuz Important for India’s Oil Supply?
Energy markets are closely watching developments around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime oil routes in the world.
Nearly one-third of global seaborne oil shipments pass through this narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
Although tensions linked to the West Asia conflict have increased security risks in the region, the shipping route remains open and operational. However, analysts warn that any disruption in this corridor could significantly impact global oil supplies.
India sources nearly 40 percent of its oil imports from the Middle East, much of which travels through this route.
India Says Energy Supplies Are Comfortable
Government sources said India is closely monitoring the global energy situation and reviewing supply conditions twice a day.
Officials said the country currently has a comfortable energy position with adequate crude oil reserves and petroleum product stocks.
“There is no shortage of LPG, LNG or crude oil globally,” sources said.
They added that India has significantly diversified its crude import basket in recent years, sourcing oil from Russia, the Middle East and other international suppliers.
Officials also said India currently has access to energy supplies that exceed the volume that could potentially be disrupted through the Strait of Hormuz.
With geopolitical tensions continuing in West Asia, India’s diversified energy strategy is increasingly seen as a key buffer against potential global supply shocks.
