Russia expects India to continue buying Russian oil, unfazed by US tariffs.

Jin10 data reported on August 20 that Evgeny Griva, the Deputy Trade Representative of Russia in India, stated that even if India might face higher U.S. tariffs, Russia still expects India to continue purchasing its oil. Griva mentioned on Wednesday that India’s imports of Russian oil may remain at current levels. This statement comes amid escalating U.S.-India tariff tensions. Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and threatened to raise the tariff to 50% on August 27, half of which targets India’s purchases of Russian oil, which the U.S. believes helps fund Putin’s war in Ukraine. India defends its right to procure from the cheapest sources, claiming the tariffs are “unreasonable.” Griva stated that Russia sells oil to India at about a 5% discount, leaving India with almost no alternative options. By mid-2025, India’s imports of oil from Russia are expected to be about 1.7 million barrels per day, accounting for nearly 37% of the country’s total overseas procurement.