Archive · 21 Sep 2026
US Sanctions Shape India’s Energy Ties With Iran, Venezuela, Russia
India buys much of its energy from other countries.
The United States has placed different sanctions and restrictions on Iran, Venezuela, and Russia.
When those policies changed, India had to change where it bought oil.
India once reduced or stopped buying oil from Iran and Venezuela.
It later restarted some purchases when US restrictions were eased.
India also bought much more Russian oil after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
US tariffs and waivers then made those purchases more uncertain.
The article says India should talk with the United States and find more energy suppliers.
This would give India more choices if one source becomes difficult to use.
The article argues that US policy toward Iran, Venezuela, and Russia has repeatedly altered India’s energy choices.
India adjusted its payment systems and oil purchases during earlier US pressure on Iran, then resumed imports after sanctions eased.
Venezuela supplied more than 400,000 barrels of oil per day to India between 2008 and 2017 before US sanctions reduced the trade.
India increased Russian oil imports after February 2022, but US tariffs and later waivers repeatedly changed the trade’s outlook.
The article says India must engage the US while diversifying its oil suppliers and energy sources.
- Who
- India, the United States, Iran, Venezuela, and Russia are the main countries involved; the article was written by Sankalp Gurjar.
- What
- US sanctions, tariffs, and waivers have repeatedly influenced India’s oil imports and wider energy relationships.
- When
- The article examines developments over the last two decades, including changes described through 2026.
- Where
- The energy relationships involve India, Iran, Venezuela, Russia, and US policy decisions made in Washington.
- Why
- India depends heavily on imported energy and must respond to changing US policies toward major oil suppliers.
India’s Energy Security
US Sanctions Policy
Oil access
India’s Energy Security
India needs reliable and affordable oil supplies and has adjusted purchases among Iran, Venezuela, Russia, West Asia, and Africa.
US Sanctions Policy
The United States has used sanctions, tariffs, and waivers to pressure or regulate energy trade involving Iran, Venezuela, and Russia.
Russian oil purchases
India’s Energy Security
India expanded Russian oil imports after 2022 and, according to the article, Russian supplies later exceeded half of its oil import basket.
US Sanctions Policy
US tariffs and a proposed sanctions law have made continued Indian purchases of Russian oil uncertain, although waivers have also been issued and extended.
Strategic response
India’s Energy Security
India’s stated practical options are to engage the United States while diversifying its suppliers and energy sources.
US Sanctions Policy
US policy continues to prioritize pressure on countries including Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, even when temporary waivers are granted for market stability.
- Main issue
- US policy is shaping India’s energy choices and energy security.
- Iran imports
- India stopped Iranian oil imports after 2018 until resuming them in 2026, according to the article.
- Venezuelan supply
- Venezuela supplied more than 400,000 barrels of oil per day to India between 2008 and 2017.
- Venezuela imports
- India stopped Venezuelan oil imports completely by 2021 and later resumed them after US restrictions eased.
- Russian oil
- India increased Russian oil purchases after February 2022, and Russian oil later exceeded 50 percent of India’s oil import basket.
- US tariff
- Indian imports of Russian oil triggered an additional 25 percent tariff in August of the year described in the article.
- Proposed response
- The article recommends engaging the US and diversifying suppliers and energy sources.