Shaurya Tripathi

In a major shift in international energy diplomacy, the United States has signaled to India that it can resume purchases of Venezuelan crude oil as a replacement for the Russian oil New Delhi has been buying for years. This pivot comes amid mounting U.S. pressure on India to cut back on Russian energy imports — a cornerstone of Washington’s strategy to reduce Moscow’s oil revenues amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Under the Trump administration’s new approach, India — once one of the world’s biggest buyers of discounted Russian crude after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine — is being encouraged to diversify its crude sources. Reports say New Delhi’s Russian oil imports, previously around 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd), are on track to fall sharply in the coming months as refiners seek alternatives and trade relationships shift.

🔹 What’s Behind the U.S. Move

The United States had previously imposed 25% tariffs on countries, including India, for importing Venezuelan oil — part of a broader tariff regime tied to Russian and Venezuelan energy trade, which had discouraged such purchases.

Now, as Washington weighs the strategic importance of curbing Russian oil revenues, U.S. officials have quietly told New Delhi that Venezuelan crude could be a viable alternative source, even if it remains unclear whether these barrels would be marketed directly by Venezuela’s state oil company PDVSA or through international traders.

🔹 Why This Matters

This development highlights a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape in global oil markets:

Energy geopolitics: The U.S. shift reflects a broader effort to reshape energy supply chains and weaken Russia’s influence in global markets by redirecting demand toward other producers.

India’s strategy: India is actively diversifying away from Russian crude — increasing imports from the Middle East, Africa, and now potentially Venezuela — even as it seeks to avoid punitive tariffs.

Venezuelan oil under U.S. control: Following U.S. forces’ capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January 2026 and subsequent control over parts of Venezuela’s oil industry, Washington has greater leverage over how Venezuelan crude is sold — a move that carries implications for global supply and diplomatic influence.

🔹 Potential Global Impact

Trade and tariffs: U.S.–India trade relations have already been strained by previous tariff increases tied to energy imports and ongoing trade disputes.

Energy security: For India, securing reliable and affordable crude supplies is critical given its fast-growing energy demand and limited domestic resources.

Great power competition: This oil diplomacy forms part of a wider geopolitical contest involving the U.S., Russia, Venezuela, and other global powers, as each seeks to shape energy flows, alliances, and economic leverage.