In an executive order on Friday, US President Donald Trump has said that India has “committed” to stop importing oil from the Russian Federation.

“I have received additional information and recommendations from senior officials regarding India’s efforts to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066. Specifically, India has committed to stop directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, “ said the executive order.

India has also has represented that “it will purchase United States energy products from the United States, and has recently committed to a framework with the United States to expand defense cooperation over the next 10 years,” it added.

In response to the Executive Order, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that energy security of the nation is the top priority of the government and India’s oil import policy is driven by national interest.

India, which imported roughly 1.12 million barrels per day (mb/d) crude oil from Russia in January 2026, is likely to import lesser quantities of crude from Moscow in the current month, which is expected to decline further going ahead, barring Nayara Energy.

The order further stated, “After considering the information and recommendations these officials have provided to me, among other things, I have determined that India has taken significant steps to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 and to align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters. Accordingly, I have determined to eliminate the additional ad valorem rate of duty imposed on imports of articles of India pursuant to Executive Order 14329.”

Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 7, 2026, products of India imported into the United States shall no longer be subject to the additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14329, it added.

The US will monitor whether India is following the commitments it has made to Washington.

“The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall monitor whether India resumes directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,” it added.

If it is found out that India has resumed directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Order said the Secretary of State, in consultation with some top officials, “shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take additional action as to India, including whether I should reimpose the additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent on imports of articles of India.”

Responding to the development, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on X, “The interim trade agreement between India and USA is anchored in the shared commitment of our two great nations towards a glorious future… It will further strengthen the @makeinindia initiative and open up vast opportunities for our farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, StartUp innovators, fishermen and more by generating large-scale direct and indirect employment opportunities, particularly for our youth. As we continue on our journey towards #ViksitBharat, this framework reflects the commitment towards promoting innovation and will further deepen investment and technology partnerships between India & USA.” 

Source: The Hindu Business Line 

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