The United States has granted India a temporary 30-day exemption to purchase oil from Russia amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and uncertainty in global energy markets.
The decision comes at a time when newly imposed US sanctions had caused delays in the unloading of Russian oil shipments, leaving several Russian oil tankers waiting at sea.
The temporary authorization issued by the US Treasury Department is expected to provide relief to Indian oil refineries and increase the likelihood that Russian oil tankers stranded at sea will find buyers. Energy experts stated that the measure was taken with the objective of maintaining stability in global energy supply and ensuring continued availability of oil in the market.
According to a report by the international news agency Reuters, recent US sanctions created multiple uncertainties surrounding the transportation and sale of Russian oil. In particular, issues related to insurance, payment systems, and port entry created operational obstacles that caused several tankers to remain at sea.
In response to these conditions, Indian refineries temporarily adopted a cautious approach and delayed purchases of Russian oil. They were concerned that new sanctions could place such transactions in violation of international regulations. As a result, several vessels carrying Russian oil remained at sea without completing deliveries.
US officials stated that the exemption is a limited and temporary measure intended only to allow transactions involving oil tankers that were already stranded at sea. According to the US administration, the step is not intended to provide Russia with significant economic benefit but to prevent disruptions in global energy supply.
The US Secretary of State stated in a post on the social media platform X that the strategic partnership between the United States and India is highly important. The statement also noted that US oil and gas production had reached historic levels due to the energy policies of President Donald Trump. The post said Indian refineries were granted a 30-day temporary authorization to complete purchases of oil shipments already stranded at sea in order to maintain energy supply in global markets.
India is among the world’s largest oil importers and relies on imports to meet a substantial portion of its energy demand. Discounted crude oil supplies from Russia have become an important source for India in recent years. The temporary exemption could therefore help India mitigate the risk of potential supply disruptions.
Energy experts said that any disruption in global oil supply directly affects prices. They added that the decision is considered significant not only for India but also for the international energy market.
Global oil markets are already under pressure due to rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly developments linked to Iran. In this context, the US decision is being viewed as an effort to maintain stability in the market.
