India’s US crude oil imports surge over 50% in first half of 2025; LNG, LPG trade also expands: Report – Times of India

India has significantly ramped up its crude oil imports from the United States during President Donald Trump’s second term, marking a major shift in its energy sourcing strategy, according to official trade data, reported ANI- quoting sources. Imports of US crude rose over 50 per cent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year. From January to June 25, India imported an average of 0.271 million barrels per day (mb/d), up from 0.18 mb/d during the same timeframe in 2024. The uptick has been especially sharp in recent months. Imports during the April-June 2025 quarter soared 114 per cent year-on-year, with the value rising from $1.73 billion in Q1 of FY24-25 to $3.7 billion in Q1 of FY25-26. “So, in July 2025, India imported 23 per cent more crude oil from the US compared to June 2025. In India’s overall crude imports, while the US share was only 3 per cent, it increased to 8 per cent in July. Furthermore, in the financial year (2025-2026), Indian companies would increase their crude oil import by 150 per cent,” the ANI sources said. The energy trade expansion is not limited to crude. Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US nearly doubled — rising from $1.41 billion in FY2023-24 to $2.46 billion in FY2024-25. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports have also grown significantly. Negotiations are reportedly underway for a multi-billion dollar long-term LNG supply agreement. The growth in bilateral energy trade comes amid continued affirmations of strong diplomatic ties between the two nations. Ministry of External Affairs on Friday, reiterated its confidence in the strength of the Indo-US partnership. “India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties. This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a scheduled press conference.However, this trade relation faced a setback when Trump announced 25 per cent tariffs on India. He said that India would face a 25 per cent tariff, “plus a penalty for the above, starting on August 1”; later changed to August 7. The White House justified the move by citing India’s “obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers,” persistent trade imbalances, and strong energy and defence ties with Russia.In another remark posted on Truth Social, Trump said, “I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World. Likewise, Russia and the USA do almost no business together. Let’s keep it that way…”Also read: India continuing to buy oil from Russia- Report rebuts Donald Trump’s ‘good steps’ claim