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5 January 2026|The Hindu
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EconomyInternational RelationsNEWS

India's Russian Oil Imports Soar to Six-Month High in November 2025

India's Russian oil imports hit a six-month high in November 2025, reaching 35% of total imports.

Background Context

India's quest for energy security dates back to its post-independence industrialization drive. Historically, India has been heavily reliant on crude oil imports, primarily from the Middle East, due to limited domestic production. The 1970s oil crises underscored the vulnerability of this dependence, prompting initial efforts towards diversification and domestic exploration. The establishment of entities like ONGC and the development of refining capacities were crucial steps. Over the decades, India's energy demand has consistently grown with its economic expansion, making it the world's third-largest oil consumer. This sustained demand has necessitated a multi-pronged strategy involving long-term contracts, strategic petroleum reserves, and continuous exploration of new supply sources to mitigate price volatility and geopolitical risks. The concept of an 'Indian crude oil basket' for pricing reflects this complex import scenario.

What Happened India's imports of Russian oil surged to a six-month high in November 2025, both in terms of volume and value. Russian oil now accounts for 35% of India's overall oil imports, according to the latest data. Context & Background This increase comes amidst ongoing geopolitical shifts and global energy market dynamics. While India has also increased its purchases of American oil, which reached a seven-month high in November 2025, the significant reliance on Russian oil highlights India's strategy to secure energy supplies at competitive prices. Key Details & Facts India imported 7.7 million tonnes of oil from Russia in November 2025, marking a 7% increase from November 2024. In value terms, this amounted to $3.7 billion, constituting 34% of India's total oil import bill. Together, Russia and the U.S. accounted for nearly half of India's oil imports in November 2025. Implications & Impact The continued high import of Russian oil has significant economic implications for India, potentially offering cost advantages in a volatile global market. However, it also has geopolitical ramifications, influencing India's relations with Western countries that have imposed sanctions on Russian oil. This trend underscores India's pragmatic foreign policy focused on national energy security. Exam Relevance This is highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 3 (Economy - Energy Security, International Trade) and GS Paper 2 (International Relations - India's foreign policy, Geopolitics). Questions can focus on energy diversification, trade relations, and the impact of global conflicts on commodity markets.

Key Facts

1

Russian oil imports: 6-month high in November 2025

2

Share of India's total oil imports: 35%

3

Volume imported from Russia: 7.7 million tonnes

4

Value imported from Russia: $3.7 billion

5

American oil imports: 7-month high

Latest Developments

In the immediate aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in early 2022, global energy markets experienced unprecedented volatility, with crude oil prices soaring. Western sanctions on Russian oil created a unique market dynamic, making discounted Russian crude available. India, prioritizing its energy security and economic stability, significantly ramped up its purchases of Russian oil, moving away from its traditional suppliers to leverage these competitive prices. This strategic shift has been a major development in India's energy procurement strategy over the last two years. Concurrently, India is aggressively pursuing its long-term energy transition goals, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2070. This involves massive investments in renewable energy (solar, wind), biofuels, green hydrogen, and electric mobility, aiming to reduce overall fossil fuel dependence and enhance energy independence in the coming decades.

5 Key Concepts to Understand

This article covers important concepts like Energy Security, India's Foreign Policy and 3 more. Understanding these will help you answer exam questions better.

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