India’s Russian Oil and Gas Imports in 2025: Exposing Double Standards by USA and EU

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by

Himanshu
in

As of September 2025, Russia continues to be a significant global supplier of crude oil, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite ongoing sanctions and geopolitical tensions, several countries persist in importing Russian fossil fuels, often due to strategic energy needs or economic considerations.

Countries Importing Russian Crude Oil

🇨🇳 China

  • Imports: Approximately 47% of Russia’s crude oil exports.
  • Details: China remains the largest buyer of Russian crude oil, with imports primarily via the Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean (ESPO) pipeline and seaborne shipments.

🇮🇳 India

  • Imports: Around 38% of Russia’s crude oil exports.
  • Details: India has significantly increased its intake of Russian crude oil, making it the second-largest importer. Imports are mainly seaborne, with major refineries processing the oil for domestic use and export.

🇹🇷 Turkey

  • Imports: Approximately 6% of Russia’s crude oil exports.
  • Details: Turkey imports Russian crude oil, which is often refined and re-exported, sometimes to European markets.

🇭🇺 Hungary

  • Imports: Receives crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline under an EU exemption.
  • Details: Hungary continues to receive crude oil shipments from Russia, benefiting from an EU exemption that allows for the import of Russian crude through the Druzhba pipeline.

🇸🇰 Slovakia

  • Imports: Receives crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline under an EU exemption.
  • Details: Similar to Hungary, Slovakia imports Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline, under an EU exemption.

Countries Importing Russian Natural Gas

🇪🇺 European Union

  • Imports: Approximately 36% of Russia’s pipeline natural gas exports.
  • Details: The EU remains a significant importer of Russian natural gas, though volumes have decreased due to diversification efforts and reduced demand.

🇨🇳 China

  • Imports: Around 30% of Russia’s pipeline natural gas exports.
  • Details: China continues to receive substantial volumes of Russian natural gas, primarily through the Power of Siberia pipeline.

🇹🇷 Turkey

  • Imports: Approximately 27% of Russia’s pipeline natural gas exports.
  • Details: Turkey imports significant quantities of Russian natural gas, which is crucial for its energy supply.

🇧🇪 Belgium

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: Belgium continues to import Russian LNG, although the volumes have decreased due to EU sanctions.

🇫🇷 France

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: France remains a significant importer of Russian LNG, primarily for its domestic energy needs.

🇬🇷 Greece

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: Greece continues to import Russian LNG, which is crucial for its energy supply.

🇳🇱 Netherlands

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: The Netherlands imports Russian LNG, although the volumes have decreased due to EU sanctions.

🇵🇹 Portugal

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: Portugal continues to import Russian LNG, which is crucial for its energy supply.

🇸🇰 Slovakia

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: Slovakia continues to import Russian LNG, although the volumes have decreased due to EU sanctions.

🇪🇸 Spain

  • Imports: Receives Russian LNG.
  • Details: Spain continues to import Russian LNG, which is crucial for its energy supply.

Double Standards in Global Energy Policy

One of the most glaring examples of double standards is the treatment of India. While India imports discounted Russian crude to meet domestic demand, the United States has proposed 25% tariffs on Indian exports, impacting sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and electronics.

China, despite importing even larger volumes of Russian oil and gas, faces no such punitive measures, likely due to fears of geopolitical backlash and economic consequences. Meanwhile, EU countries importing Russian energy are either sanctioned collectively (EU-wide) or granted exemptions (Hungary, Slovakia), allowing them to continue imports with relative ease.

India’s strategic role in regional peace—particularly fostering stability between India and Pakistan, which was acknowledged during the Trump administration—has not resulted in favorable treatment from the United States. This selective enforcement of sanctions underscores the politically motivated and unequal application of global energy and trade policies.

Sanctions or tariffs imposed by the US or EU

CountryCrude Oil Imports (%)Pipeline Gas Imports (%)LNG Imports (%)Sanctions/Tariffs by US or EU
China47%30%21%None directly imposed
India38%NilNilPotential US tariffs on goods (25% proposed) due to Russian oil imports
Turkey6%27%NilNone directly imposed
HungaryNilSubstaintial AmountNilSubstaintial AmountEU exemption granted; allowed to continue imports
SlovakiaNilNilSubstaintial AmountEU exemption granted; allowed to continue imports
European UnionNil36%51%EU exemption granted to Itself

Now the Tables below will expose the double standard of EU and USA

EU Purchase of Russian Pipeline Gas Imports

EU CountryApprox. Share of Russian Pipeline Gas ImportsNotes
Germany~25%Previously the largest importer via Nord Stream; volumes have declined due to sanctions and Nord Stream shutdowns.
Italy~10%Receives Russian gas via pipelines from Austria and Eastern Europe.
France~5%Imports via interconnections with Germany and Belgium.
Austria~10%Key transit hub for Russian gas to Southern and Western Europe.
Poland~8%Imports via Yamal-Europe pipeline; decreasing due to diversification.
Netherlands~5%Receives pipeline gas indirectly through Germany.
Czech Republic~4%Imports via pipelines crossing Germany.
Slovakia~6%Receives Russian gas through the Ukraine-Slovakia pipeline.
Hungary~7%Exempted from EU sanctions; still imports via pipeline.
Other EU Countries~20%Includes Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, and minor consumers via interconnections.

EU Purchase of Russian Crude Oil Imports

EU CountryApprox. Share of Russian Crude Oil ImportsNotes
Germany~10%Previously one of the largest importers; volumes reduced after sanctions and pipeline restrictions.
Netherlands~8%Receives oil primarily via Rotterdam; major refining hub.
Italy~7%Imports via Mediterranean seaborne routes.
Poland~5%Imports via Druzhba pipeline; partially reduced due to EU sanctions.
France~4%Imports via pipelines and seaborne shipments.
Hungary~3%EU exemption allows continued imports via Druzhba pipeline.
Slovakia~2%Receives via Druzhba pipeline; exempted from sanctions.
Other EU Countries~7%Includes Spain, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, and minor consumers.

EU Purchase of Russian LNG Imports

EU CountryApprox. Share of Russian LNG ImportsNotes
Spain~12%Receives LNG via Atlantic ports from Russia and transshipment hubs.
France~10%Imports via Fos-sur-Mer and Dunkirk LNG terminals.
Italy~8%Receives LNG via southern ports like Livorno and Panigaglia.
Netherlands~6%Imports through Rotterdam LNG terminals.
Belgium~5%Imports via Zeebrugge LNG terminal.
Portugal~3%Smaller volumes via Sines LNG terminal.
Greece~2%Minor imports via Revithoussa LNG terminal.
Other EU Countries~5%Minor or occasional imports across the EU via LNG re-exports.

India’s energy imports, particularly from Russia, reveal the complexities of modern geopolitics. While discounted Russian crude and gas provide economic relief, India faces selective sanctions from the United States, exposing double standards in global energy governance.

In contrast, China imports larger volumes of Russian energy without punitive measures, and EU countries enjoy exemptions or collective policies that shield them from consequences. These discrepancies highlight the need for fair, principle-based global trade and energy policies that respect sovereignty and strategic interests.

Disclaimer

The data presented reflects the most recent publicly available information as of September 2025. Import volumes and percentages are approximate and subject to change based on geopolitical developments, sanctions, and market dynamics.