India is well-prepared to handle any disruption in oil supplies from Russia, should secondary sanctions be imposed, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at an industry event in New Delhi.
This assurance comes days after U.S. President Donald Trump warned that countries continuing to purchase Russian exports could face punitive action if Moscow fails to secure a peace deal with Ukraine within the next 50 days.
India Ready with Alternative Oil Sources
“If something happens, we’ll deal with it,” said Mr. Puri, expressing confidence in India’s ability to adapt. He highlighted that India has significantly diversified its oil sourcing, increasing the number of supplier countries from 27 to nearly 40 in recent years. New entrants like Guyana, along with established exporters such as Brazil and Canada, have broadened India’s import portfolio.
India is also ramping up its domestic exploration and production activities, further reducing its dependence on any single foreign source.
Russian Oil Still Dominant, But Contingency Plans in Place
Despite the diversification, Russia remains India’s top oil supplier, accounting for around 35% of total imports in the first half of 2025. Major private refiners like Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy were responsible for nearly half of these purchases.
In the event of sanctions affecting Russian imports, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) plans to revert to its pre-Ukraine crisis supply model, when Russian oil constituted less than 2% of the nation’s oil basket. “We’ll go back to the same template,” confirmed IOC Chairman A.S. Sahney.
Strategic Stability
Mr. Puri emphasized that India’s diversified strategy and readiness to pivot make the country resilient to geopolitical supply shocks. “I’m not worried at all,” he concluded.
The minister’s remarks signal strong strategic planning as India navigates complex global energy dynamics, while continuing efforts to maintain energy security and stable fuel supplies for its growing economy.
