Core Viewpoint - India is considering reducing its imports of Russian crude oil if the U.S. permits the purchase of oil from Iran and Venezuela, as indicated by Indian officials in discussions with the U.S. Administration [1][3]. Group 1: India's Oil Import Strategy - Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, India has increased its reliance on discounted Russian crude oil, making it the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China [2]. - Indian refiners are expected to raise their imports of Russian crude by 150,000 to 300,000 barrels per day in September, representing a 10-20% increase compared to August [5]. - The discount for Russia's Urals crude blend for Indian buyers has widened to $3 to $4 per barrel, incentivizing continued purchases despite U.S. pressure [6]. Group 2: U.S.-India Relations and Oil Prices - Indian officials have warned that cutting off all three sanctioned suppliers—Russia, Venezuela, and Iran—could lead to a rise in international oil prices, which the U.S. Administration is keen to avoid [4]. - The Trump Administration has expressed concerns over India's purchases of Russian oil amid ongoing trade negotiations and the war in Ukraine [2][4]. - Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stated that India will continue to buy Russian crude to serve its national interests, dismissing U.S. criticisms [7].