US Ends Russian Oil Waivers, India Faces Energy Pressure

The United States has decided against extending waivers that permitted Indian purchases of Russian oil, tightening pressure on New Delhi at a moment when the Strait of Hormuz crisis is already straining global energy supply lines. India, which has become one of Russia's largest crude customers since Western sanctions redirected Moscow's export flows, now faces a narrower set of options to source discounted barrels without exposure to secondary sanctions risk. Russia has moved to reassure India of continued supply across crude oil, LPG, and LNG, signaling Moscow's intent to preserve one of its most strategically valuable trade relationships. The mechanism here is compounding: Hormuz disruptions reduce available alternatives from Gulf producers while the US waiver withdrawal raises the compliance cost of maintaining Russian volumes. India's government is engaged in active talks with US counterparts, according to sources, suggesting the final trade and policy posture is not yet locked. Energy procurement strategy, rupee-rouble settlement arrangements, and India's broader non-alignment posture will all come under renewed scrutiny in the weeks ahead.