US gives India green light to buy Russian oil stuck at sea: Here’s why
Scott Bessent, US Secretary of the Treasury (Photo: Getty Images)
The US Treasury Department has granted India a temporary 30-day exemption to buy Russian oil currently stuck in ports or at sea, according to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on X.
Bessent began his post by noting that the energy policy of the current US leader, Donald Trump, has led to the highest level of oil and gas production in recorded history.
He then added a quote about the temporary permission for New Delhi to purchase Russian oil that is stuck at sea.
“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” wrote Scott Bessent.
The minister noted that this deliberately short-term measure will not bring significant financial benefit to the Russian government, as it only allows transactions involving oil that is stuck at sea.
The senior official also added that India is an important partner of the US, and Washington expects increased purchases of American oil.
“This stop-gap measure will alleviate pressure caused by Iran’s attempt to take global energy hostage,” Bessent concluded.
India’s refusal of Russian energy supplies
The US previously insisted that India stop purchasing Russian oil; instead, Washington offered American oil to the Indian market.
Later, the US and India signed a trade agreement in February 2026, which provided for India’s reduction of a significant share of Russian energy imports. The countries also mutually reduced tariffs and took other trade liberalization steps.
More details about the trade agreement between India and the US can be found in the RBC-Ukraine article.
Over time, New Delhi found alternative oil supply markets besides Russia. In addition to the US, these included Middle Eastern countries, but current supplies from those regions have become impossible due to the conflict in Iran.
