Archive · 1 Feb 2026
US Urges India to Shift from Russian to Venezuelan Oil
The US has asked India to stop buying so much oil from Russia and start buying more from Venezuela.
India's oil minister said they are already looking for other places to get oil because they are buying less from Russia.
Right now, India buys about 1.2 million barrels of oil from Russia every day, but this number is going down.
The US wants India to buy oil from Venezuela instead to help with some problems they are having.
India is listening and might make changes in the future.
The US has also imposed tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan oil, but they are now trying to reduce Russia's oil revenue.
The US is also importing more Venezuelan oil, and China could also be involved in this deal.
US urges India to replace Russian oil with Venezuelan crude to ease tariff pressure.
India is expanding its oil sourcing options as Russian imports decline.
Russian oil imports averaged 1.2 million barrels per day in January, expected to fall to 1 million bpd in February and 800,000 bpd in March.
Future imports could drop further to 500,000–600,000 bpd.
US President Donald Trump claims India has agreed in concept to buy Venezuelan oil instead of Iranian crude.
- Who
- US and India
- What
- US urging India to replace Russian oil with Venezuelan crude
- When
- Recently
- Where
- India
- Why
- To ease tariff pressure and expand sourcing options
US Perspective
India's Perspective
Oil Sourcing
US Perspective
The US wants India to replace Russian oil with Venezuelan crude to reduce Russia's oil revenue funding its war in Ukraine.
India's Perspective
India is expanding its oil sourcing options as Russian imports decline, but no immediate reaction to Trump's claim has been reported.
Tariffs and Sanctions
US Perspective
The US imposed 25% tariffs on countries buying Venezuelan oil, including India, but has since shifted its stance to curb Russian export revenues.
India's Perspective
India has been affected by US sanctions and tariffs, leading to a reduction in oil imports from Iran and a shift towards Russian oil.
- Current Russian oil imports
- 1.2 million barrels per day in January
- Expected imports in February
- 1 million barrels per day
- Expected imports in March
- 800,000 barrels per day
- Potential future imports
- 500,000–600,000 barrels per day
- US suggestion
- Replace Russian oil with Venezuelan crude
- US tariffs on Venezuelan oil
- 25% imposed in March 2025
- US imports of Venezuelan oil
- Expected to reach around 275,000 barrels per day in January 2026
Sources
US Urges India to Replace Russian Oil with Venezuelan Crude to Ease Tariff Pressure
US pitches Venezuelan oil to India amid push to reduce dependence on Russian crude: Report
"India Will Buy Venezuelan Oil Instead Of Iran": Trump Makes Big Claim
Trump claims India will buy Venezuelan oil, not Iranian: ‘We’ve already made that deal’
'We've Already Made A Deal': Donald Trump Says India Will Buy Oil From Venezuela, Not Iran
