The United States is not objecting to India purchasing oil from Russia amid the war against Iran. Previously, before Washington launched the war against Iran, it had warned that tariffs on India could be increased if the country continued buying Russian oil. However, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is now more focused on containing Iran rather than pressuring Russia or threatening countries that purchase its oil.

Axar.az reports that political analyst Elkhan Shahinoglu made these remarks.

According to him, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Indian refineries will be allowed to purchase Russian oil over the next 30 days.

“The ban on tankers carrying Russian oil at sea has been temporarily lifted, allowing Indian refineries to buy the oil. However, Scott Bessent emphasized that the suspension is temporary and expressed hope that India will purchase U.S. oil in the future. The ‘temporary’ period he mentioned could also be extended indefinitely, as it is difficult to predict whether the U.S.-Iran war will end within 30 days. The conflict could last longer. During this time, oil prices may rise, while Middle Eastern countries may continue facing difficulties exporting oil,” Shahinoglu said.

He noted that before the Russia–Ukraine war, India did not buy oil from Russia and instead sourced most of its supplies from Gulf countries. India’s oil reserves can last for about 25 days, and roughly 40 percent of its oil demand used to come from Middle Eastern countries through the Strait of Hormuz.

After Russia lowered the price of its oil due to Western sanctions, Indian refineries became increasingly interested in purchasing it. Over the past year, however, Washington had stepped up pressure on New Delhi over its purchases of discounted Russian oil. Just as India was preparing to reduce these imports under U.S. pressure, war broke out in the Middle East, making oil supplies from the region more difficult.

“As a result, India has been forced to meet most of its oil demand with Russian supplies, and Washington does not want to pressure New Delhi amid the war in the Middle East,” he concluded.