India’s oil-marketing companies (OMCs) will continue importing Russian oil, as stated by Sujata Sharma, Joint-Secretary at the Union Petroleum Ministry, following the expiration of the U.S. waiver on May 16, 2026. The decision hinges on the commercial viability of such imports.
During a briefing on West Asia, Sharma emphasized that India had purchased Russian crude before, during, and after the waiver, highlighting the commercial sense guiding these decisions. The U.S. had previously granted waivers due to escalating tensions in West Asia, allowing imports from Russia and Iran.
India’s imports of Russian crude surged to 1.96 million barrels per day by May 15, 2026, up from 1.57 million barrels per day in April, according to Kpler, a real-time maritime analytics provider. This increase reflects Indian refiners’ efforts to secure stable supplies amidst uncertainties in West Asian sources due to ongoing conflicts.
Norwegian Ambassador May-Elin Stener, speaking at the Nordic Summit, expressed Oslo’s readiness to supply energy to India, understanding the needs of its rapidly growing economy. Norway’s crude imports rose significantly in March, with a 27.3% increase from the previous year.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 19, 2026
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