India imported €2.9 billion worth of Russian crude oil in August, nearly matching China’s €3.1 billion, according to the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). The figure is up from India’s €2.7 billion crude imports in July, while China’s purchases dropped from €4.1 billion.
Overall, India’s fossil fuel imports from Russia reached €3.6 billion in August, including €510 million in coal and €282 million in refined products. China remained the top buyer of Russian crude and coal, while Turkey led in oil products and gas imports. Turkey ranked third overall with €3 billion, followed by the EU (€1.2 billion) and South Korea (€564 million).
The US has increased pressure on India to curb discounted Russian oil purchases, alleging they fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Washington imposed 50% tariffs on Indian exports effective August 27 and urged the EU to levy 100% tariffs on Chinese and Indian goods to force a reduction in Russian energy trade.
India has pushed back, calling it unfair to single out New Delhi while China, the EU, and others continue energy trade with Russia. It also noted that the US itself has not banned Russian oil but introduced a price cap mechanism allowing imports below a set threshold.
