Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to supplying crude oil to India despite mounting pressure from Washington. Officials from the Russian embassy in New Delhi stated on Wednesday that Moscow hopes to soon revive trilateral discussions with India and China, aimed at deepening a “greater Eurasian partnership.”
The announcement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports to America beginning August 27. The move is widely seen as retaliation for India’s decision to continue purchasing Russian crude, which now makes up 35% of India’s total oil imports, compared with just 0.2% before the Ukraine conflict. With these new measures, the effective tariff on Indian goods entering the U.S. has climbed to 50%.
Roman Babushkin, Russia’s chargé d’affaires in India, told reporters that Moscow expects oil flows to remain stable. He expressed confidence that India and Russia will find ways to counter the impact of tariffs in line with their national interests.
Meanwhile, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov highlighted additional areas of energy cooperation. He noted that Russia continues to export crude oil, refined products, as well as thermal and coking coal to India. He added that Moscow sees significant opportunities for supplying liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the near future. According to Russian news agencies, Manturov also confirmed Russia’s intent to expand nuclear energy partnerships with India.
Adding to this, Evgeny Griva, Russia’s Deputy Trade Commissioner, stressed that Russian oil remains highly attractive for India due to discounts averaging between 5% and 7%. He also revealed that Russia has introduced a “special mechanism” to ensure uninterrupted supplies and has begun accepting payments in Indian rupees, resolving earlier banking issues that had locked up billions of dollars.
As trade friction with Washington escalates, New Delhi is simultaneously engaging with Beijing to repair strained ties following the 2020 border clash. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China later this month, marking his first visit there in over seven years. The diplomatic activity has raised expectations of renewed trilateral dialogue involving India, China, and Russia.
Russian officials emphasized that President Vladimir Putin will visit New Delhi by year’s end, with Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping also scheduled to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit beginning August 31.
