India’s December 2025 crude oil import statistics reveal a striking shift in supplier dynamics, with Russian petroleum experiencing a sharp decline while other major sources expanded their market share. Government data shows that crude imports from the United States surged by 65.6% to $8.2 billion during April-December 2025, while Russian crude imports fell by over 17%, dropping from $40 billion to $33.1 billion year-on-year.
The December 2025 figures highlight Russia’s unique position among India’s top suppliers. As the only one of India’s five major crude sources to register negative growth, Russia saw its shipments decline by 15.15% to $2.71 billion in December 2025, compared to $3.2 billion in the same month of 2024. This contraction stands in stark contrast to the growth experienced by all other major suppliers.
India’s alternative crude suppliers capitalized on this shift with impressive gains. Saudi Arabia delivered the strongest performance with a remarkable 61% year-on-year increase, supplying crude worth $1.75 billion in December 2025. The United States posted a solid 31% growth rate, with shipments valued at $569.30 million. Iraq contributed $2.37 billion in crude imports, reflecting a 4.56% increase, while UAE deliveries totaled $1.65 billion, up 6% from the previous year.
The contraction in Russian crude imports intensified following geopolitical developments. Experts attribute the decline primarily to the US imposition of a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods on August 27, 2025, specifically designed to discourage India from purchasing sanctioned Russian petroleum. Monthly import figures demonstrate the policy’s growing impact, with Russian crude imports falling from $3.62 billion in July 2025 to $2.71 billion in December 2025.
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’s $10.34 billion. The cumulative import value for April-December 2025 stood at $105.10 billion, marginally lower than the $109.33 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. Government representatives emphasize that ensuring energy security for the nation’s vast population remains the overriding concern, with diversification strategies responding to market conditions and international developments.
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