India’s total crude oil imports grew by 9.1% in December 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching $11.29 billion, even as dramatic shifts occurred in supplier composition. While US crude imports to India increased by 65.6% to $8.2 billion during April-December 2025, Russian crude imports contracted by more than 17%, falling from $40 billion to $33.1 billion in the same period.
The December 2025 total of $11.29 billion, up from $10.34 billion in December 2024, conceals significant changes in the sources of India’s crude. Russian crude shipments declined by 15.15% to $2.71 billion from $3.2 billion, making Russia the only supplier among India’s top five to record negative growth, while other suppliers expanded their market share.
The suppliers contributing to the overall growth included Saudi Arabia, which achieved remarkable expansion of 61% to deliver crude worth $1.75 billion in December 2025. The United States recorded a 31% increase to $569.30 million. Iraq contributed $2.37 billion, up 4.56%, while the UAE supplied $1.65 billion, reflecting a 6% annual rise.
The changing supplier composition within growing total imports reflects India’s responsive procurement strategy. The US implementation of a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods on August 27, 2025, designed to discourage purchases of sanctioned Russian petroleum, influenced the supplier mix. Russian crude imports declined from $3.62 billion in July 2025 to $2.71 billion in December 2025 as other sources expanded.
For the broader April-December 2025 period, India’s cumulative crude imports from approximately 39 countries totaled $105.10 billion, compared to $109.33 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Officials emphasize that maintaining adequate total import volumes while diversifying sources ensures energy security for the nation’s 1.4 billion citizens.