Long-Term Crude Commitments Face Geopolitical Reality as India Adjusts Purchases

India’s crude oil procurement in 2025 illustrated the tension between long-term supply commitments and evolving geopolitical pressures, with Russian imports declining despite existing contracts. Data shows that US crude imports to India surged by 65.6% to $8.2 billion during April-December 2025, while Russian crude imports fell by more than 17%, dropping from $40 billion to $33.1 billion year-on-year.
December 2025 revealed the practical limitations of long-term crude purchase agreements. Although crude purchases are typically based on long-term commitments that cannot be suddenly altered, Russian crude imports to India declined by 15.15% to $2.71 billion in December 2025 from $3.2 billion in December 2024. This made Russia the sole supplier among India’s top five to experience contracting imports.
Other major suppliers capitalized on India’s need for alternative sources. Saudi Arabia achieved remarkable growth of 61%, delivering crude worth $1.75 billion in December 2025. The United States posted a 31% increase with shipments totaling $569.30 million. Iraq recorded a 4.56% rise to $2.37 billion, while the UAE contributed $1.65 billion, up 6% annually.
Industry experts note that the decline in Russian crude imports intensified following the US imposition of a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods on August 27, 2025, designed to deter purchases of sanctioned Russian petroleum. Despite the constraints of existing contracts, monthly Russian crude imports fell from $3.62 billion in July 2025 to $2.71 billion in December 2025—a significant contraction.
India’s total crude oil imports from approximately 39 countries reached $11.29 billion in December 2025, marking a 9.1% increase compared to December 2024. For the April-December 2025 period, cumulative imports stood at $105.10 billion, versus $109.33 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Officials emphasize that energy security considerations guide all procurement decisions.