India continues to import large volumes of Russian crude oil—primarily from Rosneft—even amid Western sanctions, by leveraging long-term contracts, discounted pricing, and strategic autonomy in energy policy.

Key points

Energy Security First
India prioritizes affordable and stable energy supplies to support economic growth and control inflation, making Russian crude attractive due to price discounts.

Role of Major Indian Buyers

Indian Oil Corporation – Largest buyer

Reliance Industries – Second largest buyer

Nayara Energy – Key private refiner with Russian links

Sanctions Navigation Strategy
Transactions continue under existing contracts, alternative shipping, insurance arrangements, and non-dollar settlement mechanisms, reducing exposure to United States sanctions.

Emergence of New Russian Exporters
Russia has diversified exporters beyond traditional giants to bypass sanctions and maintain export volumes to Asia.

Geopolitical Balancing (Strategic Autonomy)
India avoids aligning fully with any power bloc, maintaining relations with the U.S., Russia, and others based on national interest rather than alliance pressure.

Economic Impact

Lower import bill due to discounted crude

Improved refinery margins

Reduced domestic fuel price pressure