India's imports of Russian oil hit all-time high despite US tariff threat
New Delhi's record Russian oil imports come as Washington advances legislation that could impose up to 100 percent tariffs on countries buying crude from Moscow
India's imports of sanctioned Russian crude hit an all-time high of 2.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in July, according to vessel-tracking data from Kpler cited by the Times of India on 3 August.
Russian oil accounted for over 55 percent of India's total crude imports in July, as the country grapples with the effects of the US-Israeli war in Iran.
Between June and July, before Washington violated the terms of a ceasefire agreement with Iran, Indian refiners increased imports of crude from Saudi Arabia and Iraq as millions of barrels managed to exit the Persian Gulf.
Nikhil Dubey, lead analyst at Kpler, told the Times of India that the ongoing closure of the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab Straits is the key reason driving New Delhi to purchase record amounts of Russian oil.
“Another reason for the strong Russian imports is the continued availability of Russian cargo, as drone strikes on Russia’s refining infrastructure have reduced domestic refining activity, leaving more crude available for export,” Dubey added.
The UAE is India’s second-largest crude oil supplier after Russia, as it increases production and exports of crude oil loaded on tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz.
New Delhi's record imports of sanctioned Russian oil come as lawmakers in Washington push forward legislation that could impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries purchasing crude from Moscow.
India and China are widely expected to be among those affected if the law is enacted.
If Congress approves the legislation, named after the late war-hawk Lindsey Graham, Indian refiners will need to reassess procurement, especially if tariffs impact broader bilateral trade beyond energy.
In August 2025, Washington imposed 25 percent tariffs on Indian imports as a penalty for India's oil purchases from Russia. The tariffs were lifted after a broad trade deal was announced in February.