Will India Stop Buying Russian Oil After US Trade Deal? Big Questions Emerge

New Delhi: The recent trade deal between India and America has raised a big question: Will India now stop buying oil from Russia? The US president has claimed that the trade deal is possible on this condition, but the reaction of experts and India is not yet clear.

What was decided in the new trade deal?

Under the supreme high-profile trade deal, America has said that it will reduce the total 50 percent tariff on Indian exports to 18 percent. In return, US President Donald Trump claimed that India will completely stop buying oil from Russia. However, there has been no official response from India on this claim.

How have India-Russia relations been for a long time?

The relations between India and Russia today are not a new friendship. Diplomatic, defense and energy partnerships between the two countries have lasted for many decades since independence. For example, Russia supported India internationally during the 1971 war, while many Western countries had different policies. Even after India's nuclear test in 1998, Russia continued supplying arms.

Was India so dependent on Russian oil earlier?

India is a major importer of energy in the world. A large part of its total oil imports comes from abroad, and in 2024-25, about 35 percent of the oil was received from Russia. Russian oil was not only cheap but also an attractive option for India amidst the complexities of the world market.

Will India stop buying oil from Russia?

This is a question that is still under dispute. America says that India has agreed to stop buying oil from Russia and due to this the trade deal has become possible. But India has not spoken out on this claim, and experts believe that a total shutdown is not possible immediately as many of the refineries have consumption and existing contract terms that are yet to be complied with.

Does this mean a change in relations with Russia?

Military and diplomatic ties between the two countries have been deep, and oil purchases are merely an economic matter. Defense cooperation, technical partnership and agreements at the political level are still ongoing with Russia. Experts say that completely stopping oil purchases does not mean that India-Russia relations will deteriorate; This is just one aspect of trade and energy policy that is being balanced strategically.

Between the US-India trade deal claims and the historical relationship with Russia, it is clear that energy policy and geopolitics are very complex topics. India can reduce its purchases of Russian oil for now, but ending it completely is a big and gradual step.