India to US: Cutting Russian Oil Imports Only Possible if Iran, Venezuela Allowed as Alternatives

New Delhi has told Washington that the only practical way for India to reduce its dependence on Russian oil is to allow it to resume crude imports from Iran and Venezuela, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The message comes as the United States continues to pressure India to scale back energy purchases from Moscow, arguing that revenue from Russian oil sales fuels the Ukraine conflict. U.S. negotiators have linked this demand to progress in bilateral trade talks, including the reduction of tariffs imposed on Indian goods.

Indian officials, however, maintain that cutting off supplies from Russia, while also being barred from Iran and Venezuela, is not feasible for a country that imports 85–90% of its oil needs. They have stressed that energy security is central to India’s economic stability and that Western nations cannot expect New Delhi to compromise its domestic interests.

India stopped importing oil from Iran in 2019, after U.S. sanctions tightened, and reduced Venezuelan supplies soon after. Since then, Russia has emerged as a top supplier, offering discounted rates that help India manage its fuel bill. Officials argue that unless restrictions on Iranian and Venezuelan crude are eased, India will have no option but to continue with Russian imports.

The U.S., meanwhile, has tied its willingness to lift additional tariffs on Indian exports to measurable cuts in Russian crude purchases. Washington has also hinted at possible secondary sanctions if New Delhi ignores its demands.

Analysts say the standoff reflects a wider clash between India’s push for strategic autonomy and U.S. efforts to enforce sanctions on Russia. While Western allies continue some forms of trade with Moscow, India has been singled out for its reliance on Russian crude — a point Indian negotiators highlight in talks.

Diplomatic observers believe a compromise may eventually emerge, possibly through phased reductions or conditional waivers that allow India to diversify supplies without destabilizing global oil markets. For now, the message from New Delhi is clear: without Iranian and Venezuelan barrels on the table, Russian crude will keep flowing to India.