New Delhi, Dec 7 (NationPress) Russian President Vladimir Putin reassured India during his visit from December 3 to 5, 2025, that energy collaboration remains a priority for Moscow, according to a report.

While addressing Indian officials, he emphasized that Russia is dedicated to ensuring “uninterrupted shipments” of fuel to India, commending Indian partners as “very reliable”, as reported by the India Narrative.

This reassurance comes at a pivotal time as India's imports of Russian crude have surged to a five-month peak, even following the implementation of new US secondary sanctions on November 21.

India's reliance on Russian oil has seen a significant increase since 2022, with refiners showing resistance to reduce their intake despite the mounting obstacles. Nayara Energy stands out as one of the largest purchasers.

From 2023 to 2025, Nayara sourced over half of its total crude imports from Russia.

In several months of 2024, nearly 60 percent of the crude handled at its Vadinar refinery was from Russian varieties such as Urals and ESPO.

Nevertheless, maintaining the flow of Russian crude is becoming increasingly challenging. Numerous Western insurance companies have withdrawn coverage for vessels linked with the “dark fleet,” leading to an uptick in shipping costs.

Freight rates for the Russia-India shipping route have escalated by nearly 20 percent compared to mid-2025. Maritime brokers indicate that almost 40 percent of tankers previously utilized for this route are now deemed high-risk or uninsurable, compelling refiners to depend on unfamiliar carriers and more intricate shipping pathways.

Payment processes are also evolving. As US regulations tighten, Indian buyers are shifting towards dirham- and yuan-based settlement options. While functional, these systems introduce compliance and currency stability risks.

Despite this, analysts point out that US sanctions do not categorically ban Russian crude; they target specific entities. Therefore, refiners are more inclined to adapt their strategies rather than sever connections.

Industry experts reveal that methods such as ship-to-ship transfers, mixed cargoes, and re-documentation through hubs like Fujairah, Malaysia, and selected Turkish ports are increasingly being implemented to facilitate the delivery of Russian oil to India without a direct association with sanctioned exporters.

These practices resemble past global instances where sanctioned oil continued reaching buyers through less transparent but dependable routes, as stated in the report.

Indian refiners favor Russian crude for a straightforward reason: price. Russian oil remains available at a discount ranging from $4 to $7 per barrel compared to comparable Middle Eastern varieties.

Putin’s visit has reinforced Moscow's commitment to maintaining this energy partnership, according to the report.