Never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil: India on US waiver amid Middle East conflict

India on Saturday said it has never been dependent on other countries to buy Russia’s oil and will continue importing crude from Moscow, even as the United States granted a temporary waiver allowing such purchases amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. New Delhi added that it does not require Washington’s permission to procure Russian oil.

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"India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil. India is still importing Russian oil even in February 2026, and Russia is still India’s largest crude oil supplier. For three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, India kept buying Russian oil despite US and EU objections," said the Press Information Bureau's note.


Washington temporarily eased economic sanctions against Russia on Thursday to allow Russian oil stranded at sea to be sold to India. Earlier, Washington rolled back a 25 percent duty on Indian exports in February as part of an interim trade deal after what it described as New Delhi's "commitment" to stop buying Russian oil.

"Imports increased significantly after 2022 due to discounted prices and refinery demand. Therefore, suggesting a short-term waiver “enables” these purchases overlooks that the trade has continued consistently. India is a net exporter of refined products to the world — a position that reinforces, not undermines, its energy security," the note read.

The US-Israel campaign against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region have upended the world's energy and transport sectors, causing a surge in global oil prices. The Iran conflict, now in its seventh day, has left the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping chokepoint, all but shut, cutting countries off from a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.

The Russian oil, which was selling at a discount of $10 to $13 before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, is now commanding a premium of $4-5 over Brent upon delivery to India in March or early April.

The leap reflects a sharp rise in demand for Russian oil from Indian refiners who have suddenly been cut off from supplies of Middle East crude.

India on Saturday raised the price of household liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders used for cooking by seven percent.

Globally, crude soared 8.5 percent on Friday and was up nearly 30 percent for the week after President Donald Trump said only the "unconditional surrender" of Iran would end the Middle East war.

Earlier in the week, India's petroleum ministry ordered refiners to ramp up LPG output, asking for propane and butane streams to be utilised for production.