India to maintain Russian crude imports as Trump administration waives new sanctions law

The Trump administration has waived implementation of a new US sanctions law that would have imposed steep tariffs on major importers of Russian crude and gas. The legislation had authorised duties of up to 100% on goods from the five largest purchasers of Russian petroleum products, alongside sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet of tankers.

India, among the world's largest importers of Russian crude, can now continue its oil purchases without facing the threatened additional tariffs. The waiver removes a significant trade barrier that could have disrupted India's energy supply chain and increased import costs.

The decision provides relief to India's refineries, which have increasingly relied on Russian crude following Western sanctions on Moscow. The exemption allows New Delhi to maintain its current import levels without facing punitive US trade measures.