A strange discourse is gaining momentum in some parts of India’s political and media discourse. According to recent reports, when the US reduced tariff pressure and gave a temporary relief to India to continue purchasing oil from Russia amid the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict, members of the opposition started suggesting that India needs Washington’s “permission” to purchase crude oil from Moscow. This interpretation is not only misleading, but it also reflects a misunderstanding of the basic principles of India’s energy diplomacy and economic policy.
In February 2026, Russia remained India’s largest supplier of crude oil. Indian refiners imported about 10 to 17 lakh barrels of Russian crude per day. This accounts for about 25-30% of India’s total oil imports, which amounts to about 28 to 48 million barrels of Russian oil during the month. In simple words, India is buying about 1 million barrels of Russian oil every day.
These figures alone demolish the idea that India’s energy choices are dictated by foreign countries.
If India really needed US permission to buy Russian oil, then such large-scale imports would not have been possible. Instead, these imports continue because India’s policy is driven by a simple principle: energy security of 140 crore people. And this has been repeated again and again.
Oil is not a diplomatic favor. This is a strategic necessity.
India imports more than 85% of its crude oil requirement. In such a situation, the government has to constantly maintain a balance between price, stability of supply, geopolitical risks and domestic inflation. Every barrel purchased at discounted rates directly affects the cost of transportation, manufacturing, power and ultimately the household budget of India’s middle class.
This is why India diversified its energy basket after the Ukraine war started in 2022. Russian crude oil became attractive because it was available at competitive prices and in large quantities. Indian refiners acted pragmatically and the government supported a strategy that protected consumers from global price shocks.
This approach continues even today.
Yes, India interacts with the United States, just as it does with Russia, the Gulf countries, and other suppliers. Diplomacy between major economies naturally involves trade negotiations, tariffs, and political messaging. But to interpret such discussions as “permission” is to distort the facts.
India has kept its position very clear from the beginning.
New Delhi has repeatedly said that its energy purchases are determined by market conditions and national interest. In fact, India did not stop imports even after Washington announced punitive tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases. Instead, it continued to diversify its supply sources while maintaining engagement with multiple partners.
This is not surrender. This is ‘Strategic Autonomy’.
The current geopolitical situation only reinforces this reality. Global energy markets are under pressure after Qatar temporarily halted gas production due to rising tensions and conflict in West Asia. Under such circumstances, a responsible government should widen its procurement channels, not limit them. Russia remains one such channel.
India’s oil policy is therefore neither ideological nor externally directed. It is based on practical, sovereign and economic necessity.
Those who claim that India needs approval from foreign capitals to buy oil ignore a fundamental truth: large nations like India do not delegate their energy decisions to others. They bargain, they diversify and they secure the best deal for their citizens. And this is exactly what India is doing today.
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