New Delhi, April 17. India’s crude oil imports from the US surged to a 27-month high in April 2025, driven primarily by increased procurement from state-run oil companies amid ongoing efforts to conclude a bilateral trade deal with Washington. According to ship-tracking data and industry sources cited by Business Standard, public sector refiners are stepping up purchases while private refiners remain cautious, focusing on profit margins.
Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum led the push, accounting for over 70 percent of April’s US crude imports, totalling around 336,000 barrels per day (bpd). Reliance Industries contributed the remainder, maintaining its strategy of buying cheaper, high-sulphur crude grades. In contrast, state-run refiners opted for more expensive, higher-quality oil.
Data from Paris-based Kpler indicated that US crude shipments to India averaged 466,000 bpd in April, with a projected average of 370,000 bpd for May, although it is too early for confirmation. This marks a significant jump from March’s 289,000 bpd, a 61 percent increase. However, the current figure still trails behind the peak import level of 592,000 bpd recorded in February 2021 during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The increase in US crude and LNG purchases underscores India’s broader strategy of diversifying its energy sources while strengthening trade ties with Washington.
