Russia-Ukraine War’s India Impact: Russian Oil, US Tariffs And Delhi’s Tough Balancing Act

The Russia-Ukraine war is intensifying, but its impact is being felt far beyond the battlefield — including in India’s oil market. India’s Russian crude imports fell 16.5% in August to around 2.1 million barrels per day, with preliminary September data showing another decline. At the same time, a new US sanctions law gives Washington authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. India is now diversifying supplies while weighing its energy needs, ties with Moscow and relations with Washington. With Russian oil, defence cooperation and global energy prices all involved, India faces a complex strategic balancing act.