Sanctions – US Says India Cutting Russian Oil Imports
Sanctions – The United States has indicated that India is gradually scaling back its purchases of Russian crude oil and broadening its energy supply sources, even as American lawmakers continue to question how effectively sanctions linked to the Ukraine war are being enforced.
Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Sanctions Enforcement
The issue surfaced during a House subcommittee hearing focused on South and Central Asia, where members of Congress examined the broader impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on global energy flows. Republican Representative Keith Self argued that continued Russian oil exports were contributing to Moscow’s war funding and pressed officials on how compliance would be monitored if India reduced its imports.
He questioned whether enforcement mechanisms would adequately address complex trading practices, including the use of third-party intermediaries, blended cargo shipments, ship-to-ship transfers, and so-called “ghost ships” that obscure the origin of crude oil. According to Self, such methods could weaken the effectiveness of Western sanctions designed to restrict Russia’s revenue streams.
State Department Points to Shift in India’s Energy Mix
Responding to the concerns, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur acknowledged that specific enforcement details fall outside his bureau’s direct oversight. However, he emphasized that India has been moving in the direction Washington hoped to see.
Kapur stated that India has been reducing its reliance on Russian oil and diversifying its imports. He also noted an increase in energy purchases from the United States, describing this shift as a constructive development. Expanding imports from American suppliers and other global producers, he suggested, could help address both energy security needs and broader geopolitical considerations.
While he did not provide detailed figures during the hearing, Kapur framed the trend as consistent with US policy objectives following the outbreak of the Ukraine war.
Allegations of Indirect Trade Flows
Representative Self also cited reports alleging that Russian oil sold to India was subsequently refined and exported to European markets. Such indirect trade flows, he argued, may complicate Western efforts to limit Moscow’s income from energy exports.
These claims highlight the practical challenges associated with enforcing sanctions in a globalized energy market. Oil can be blended, refined, and re-exported, making it difficult to trace its origin once it enters international supply chains.
Balancing Strategic Ties With Policy Goals
The discussion reflects the broader balancing act in relations between Washington and New Delhi. The United States has steadily deepened trade and defense cooperation with India in recent years, particularly within Indo-Pacific initiatives such as the Quad. At the same time, it has encouraged India to reduce dependence on discounted Russian crude following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
India has long maintained a policy of strategic autonomy in foreign affairs and energy procurement. After the conflict began, New Delhi increased purchases of discounted Russian oil, citing domestic energy security and economic considerations. This approach drew sustained diplomatic engagement from the United States and European partners, who have sought greater alignment on sanctions policy.
So far, Indian officials have not publicly responded to the latest remarks from Washington.
Geopolitical Pressures Continue
Since 2022, Western governments have imposed extensive sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, financial institutions, and key industries. The goal has been to limit revenue available to support the war effort in Ukraine.
India’s evolving energy strategy sits at the intersection of these geopolitical pressures and its own economic priorities. As global oil markets remain volatile, decisions made by major importers such as India carry implications for both energy security and international diplomacy.
The latest exchange in Congress underscores that while progress may be occurring, scrutiny over compliance and enforcement is likely to continue as the Ukraine conflict shapes global energy policy.