ISLAMABAD: The Washington Post has revealed that India’s government hasyielded to the Trump administration’s demands on Russian oil purchases,marking a significant retreat from its proclaimed strategic autonomy.Reliance Industries, led by billionaire Mukesh Ambani—a close ally of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi—has ceased importing Russian crude to its Jamnagarrefinery, effectively nullifying a decade-long agreement with Russia’sRosneft valued at billions annually. This decision, effective from November20, 2025, underscores New Delhi’s vulnerability to Western sanctions amidthe Ukraine conflict.
The move follows intense US pressure, including 50 percent tariffs imposedby President Donald Trump in August, with a 25 percent penalty specificallytargeting Indian purchases of Russian oil and arms. Trump advisorsreportedly dubbed the Ukraine war “Modi’s war” to embarrass Indianleadership globally, forcing a policy U-turn. Reliance’s imports, exceeding$33 billion since the war’s onset—accounting for nearly 8 percent ofRussia’s seaborne crude exports—have now been curtailed to comply withimpending sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, set to fully activate onNovember 21.
India’s reliance on discounted Russian oil had long bolstered its energysecurity and refining margins, enabling billions in savings while exportingrefined products to Europe and the US. However, the abrupt halt exposes thefragility of Modi’s “self-reliant” narrative, as the nation now pivots tocostlier alternatives from the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, andpotentially the US itself. State-run refineries are similarly skippingDecember contracts, signaling a broader recalibration that could inflateimport costs and strain bilateral trade talks.
Experts view this as a major concession from a key Indian energy player,potentially paving the way for progress in US-India negotiations stalled bythe oil dispute. From December 1, Jamnagar’s export-focused facility willoperate solely on non-Russian crude, aligning with an EU ban on refinedproducts from sanctioned sources. While Reliance maintains supplier ties,the shift highlights how geopolitical pressures can swiftly upend economicstrategies, diminishing India’s bargaining power on the global stage.
Read Top Stories
This development not only emboldens Washington’s sanction regime but alsoraises questions about the sustainability of India’s diversified energyportfolio. As tariffs loom, New Delhi’s quiet alignment with US directivesprioritizes trade preservation over ideological independence, potentiallyreshaping South Asian energy dynamics for years to come.
Source:www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/11/20/india-oil-reliance-ambani-trump/”>https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/11/20/india-oil-reliance-ambani-trump/Source: www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d911e7nxeo”>https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9d911e7nxeo