Saudi Arabia and US Lead Growth as India Reduces Russian Crude Dependency

India’s crude oil import statistics for 2025 reveal a strategic diversification, with American and Saudi Arabian petroleum gaining prominence while Russian supplies decline. Data shows US crude imports to India increased by 65.6% to $8.2 billion during April-December 2025, while Russian crude imports contracted by over 17%, falling from $40 billion to $33.1 billion in the same period.
December 2025 witnessed a particularly stark illustration of this trend. Russia, once a major supplier, saw its crude shipments to India decline by 15.15% to $2.71 billion, compared to $3.2 billion in December 2024. This made Russia the only supplier among India’s top five to experience negative growth, highlighting the changing landscape of India’s energy partnerships.
Other suppliers capitalized on this shift with impressive growth figures. Saudi Arabia emerged as the standout performer with a remarkable 61% year-on-year surge, delivering crude worth $1.75 billion in December 2025. The United States posted strong growth of 31%, with shipments valued at $569.30 million. Iraq recorded a modest 4.56% increase to $2.37 billion, while the UAE contributed $1.65 billion, reflecting a 6% annual rise.
Industry sources suggest that the decline in Russian crude imports intensified following the US implementation of a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods on August 27, 2025. This measure was explicitly designed to discourage India from purchasing sanctioned Russian petroleum. The tariff’s impact became progressively more apparent, with Russian crude imports falling from $3.62 billion in July 2025 to $2.71 billion in December 2025—a decline of over 35% from the November level.
India imported crude oil worth $11.29 billion from approximately 39 countries in December 2025, up 9.1% from $10.34 billion in December 2024. The cumulative import value for April-December 2025 reached $105.10 billion, compared to $109.33 billion in the same period of 2024. Government representatives emphasize that energy security for India’s vast population remains the primary objective, with diversification based on market conditions being essential to achieving this goal.