Core Insights - Trump publicly stated that the Indian Prime Minister has committed to stopping the purchase of Russian oil, although this claim has not been confirmed by India, indicating an escalation in U.S. pressure on New Delhi [1] - Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, India has become a key buyer of Russian crude oil, with an average daily import of 1.9 million barrels in the first nine months of 2025, accounting for 40% of Russia's total exports [1] - The trade relationship has reshaped global oil flows and has been a significant source of profit for Indian refining companies [1] U.S. Pressure on India - The U.S. has imposed a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods due to its purchase of Russian oil, directly impacting India's exports to the U.S., which is its largest trading partner with a bilateral trade volume of $128.8 billion in 2024 [3] - The EU's new sanctions will take effect on January 21, 2026, banning imports of fuels refined from Russian crude, which will cut off a significant profit source for Indian refining companies, as the European market accounts for over one-third of India's diesel and aviation fuel exports [3] India-Russia Energy Cooperation - India has established a deep industrial chain with Russia, exemplified by Reliance Industries signing a 10-year supply agreement with Russian state oil company, supplying nearly 500,000 barrels per day [5] - The agreement includes a significant annual transaction value of approximately $13 billion, making it difficult for India to reduce its Russian oil imports [5] India's Negotiation Strategy - India is seeking leverage in negotiations with the U.S., stating that any cessation of Russian oil imports must be accompanied by the lifting of oil sanctions on Iran and Venezuela to ensure its energy supply stability [7] - The share of Russian oil in India's total imports has surged from 2% before the conflict to 44%, with daily imports expected to reach a historical peak of 2.07 million barrels by July 2025 [7] China's Role in Russian Oil Imports - China, as the largest buyer of Russian oil, imported an average of 2.1 million barrels per day from January to September 2025, accounting for 18% of its total crude imports [10] - However, China's energy import diversification strategy limits its ability to absorb additional Russian oil, as it aims to keep imports from any single country below 20% [12] Shadow Market for Russian Oil - With both India and China unable to fully absorb the potential increase in Russian oil exports, a burgeoning shadow market has emerged as a primary outlet for Russian crude [14] - This shadow fleet, consisting of approximately 650 aging oil tankers, handles 65% of Russia's daily crude oil exports, utilizing complex operations to obscure the origin of the oil [16]