India is implementing a larger strategy to reduce its dependence on oil imports from Russia , with the higher tariffs imposed by the U.S. coming at a time when India was already cutting its Russian oil imports, according to an analysis of official data. This has also been confirmed by government officials.

An analysis by The Hindu of government trade data shows India’s oil imports from Russia in September 2025 — the first full month during which the U.S.’ 50% tariffs on Indian imports were applicable — were 29% lower in terms of value and 17% lower in terms of volume than in September 2024.

However, the data shows that this is part of a longer strategy rather than a reaction to the tariffs — 25% of which had been imposed as a ‘penalty’ for importing Russian oil.

Longer strategy

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