India Slips to Third Spot as Refiners Cut Back on Russian Crude Imports: Report
By Cygnus | 13 Jan 2026
India dropped to third place among the largest buyers of Russian fossil fuels in December 2025 after a pullback in crude purchases by private and state-owned refiners, according to a new analysis released on January 13, 2026 by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The report said India’s lower intake reshaped the import rankings for Russian hydrocarbons, with Türkiye moving into second place, while China remained the largest buyer.
December data: India’s Russian hydrocarbon imports fall sharply
According to the CREA analysis, India’s total imports of Russian hydrocarbons fell to about €2.3 billion in December, down from around €3.3 billion in November.
The decline allowed Türkiye (about €2.6 billion) to overtake India as the second-largest importer during the month.
CREA said China continued to dominate Russian fossil fuel trade flows, accounting for the largest share of export revenues among major buyers.
Reliance and state refiners reduce intake
A key driver of the December decline was reduced Russian crude intake by India’s largest refining complex at Jamnagar, operated by Reliance Industries, the report said.
CREA said Jamnagar cut Russian crude intake significantly in December compared with November, contributing to the broader fall in India’s Russian hydrocarbon imports.
The report added that some state-owned refiners also adjusted buying patterns during the month, with market participants closely monitoring compliance considerations as global enforcement of sanctions and restrictions tightens.
Russia still a major supplier to India
Despite the decline, the report said Russia remained among India’s top crude suppliers.
CREA estimated Russia’s share of India’s crude import basket fell from roughly 35% in November to about 25% in December, reflecting both reduced volumes and a shift in sourcing toward other regions.
Summary
India slipped to third place among the largest buyers of Russian fossil fuels in December 2025 after refiners reduced crude purchases, according to a January 13 CREA analysis. The report estimates India’s Russian hydrocarbon imports fell to about €2.3 billion from €3.3 billion in November, allowing Türkiye to overtake India for the month. While buying patterns appear to have shifted amid tighter compliance and sanction-related risk, Russia remains a major supplier, accounting for roughly a quarter of India’s crude imports in December.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is India stopping purchases of Russian oil?
No. The report suggests refiners reduced purchases in December, but Russia remains one of India’s largest suppliers.
Q2: Why did Türkiye overtake India?
CREA estimates Türkiye’s imports held up more firmly in December while India’s crude intake declined, changing the monthly ranking.
Q3: Did sanctions directly force the decline?
The report links the pullback to rising compliance and restriction-related risk, though refiners typically adjust procurement based on multiple factors including pricing, availability, shipping, and policy constraints.
Q4: Will this affect fuel prices in India?
The near-term impact is expected to be limited, as refiners can adjust sourcing across regions depending on price and availability. Any sustained change would depend on global crude prices and supply conditions.
