India is showing its intention to change its energy strategy in October 2025 by reducing imports of Russian oil and expanding cooperation with the United States. As part of trade negotiations, New Delhi signals its readiness to increase imports of American energy resources, particularly natural gas, to reduce dependence on Russian raw materials. The Indian side is also interested in attracting American investors to projects in renewable and nuclear energy.
This is reported by Business • Media
Changes in Import Structure and the Role of the Private Sector
Analysts note that from June to September 2025, India’s state-owned oil refineries reduced their purchases of Russian oil by more than 45%. While in June the supply volumes reached 1.1 million barrels per day, by September this figure had decreased to 600,000 barrels. Experts emphasize that this reduction is the result of not only political pressure from the US but also rising transportation costs.
“The reduction of Russian oil supplies by India’s state-owned enterprises is significant and reflects a change in import policy under the influence of international pressure and economic factors.”
However, the country’s private refiners, including Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy (controlled by Rosneft), are, on the contrary, increasing their purchases. The total import of Russian oil remains stable at around 1.6 million barrels per day, although it reached 2 million barrels in the summer. It is forecasted that in October, volumes may decrease further.
Russia Increases LNG Exports Despite US Sanctions
Meanwhile, the Russian Federation is ramping up supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG), particularly from the Arctic LNG 2 plant, which is under US sanctions. Moscow is using these steps to test Washington’s position and that of President Donald Trump personally. Since the end of June, Arctic LNG 2 has prepared its tenth batch of LNG for export, and from August, eight vessels carrying sanctioned Russian gas have arrived at the Chinese terminal in Beihai.