India Pushes Back: “Energy Choices Are Ours Alone,” Says Government Amid U.S. Waiver on Russian Oil

India cancelled the idea that needs approval from the United States or any other country regarding Russian oil purchase. This statement comes instantly without any delay after the U.S. The Treasury issued a temporary 30-day sanctions waiver on March 5, 2026. This allows Indian refiners to buy Russian crude that was already stranded at sea. Washington demonstrated the waiver as a move to stabilize global oil markets during the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. During this time, Delhi with a clear message responded by saying that India’s energy decisions are guided only by its national interest. Since February 2026, Russia has remained India’s largest crude supplier focusing the depth of the energy relationship among the two nations. The U.S. waiver, which remains valid until April 4, 2026, was introduced in response to extreme volatility in global oil markets. Oil prices surged nearly 30 percent in just one week after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, as tensions intensified in West Asia. The waiver allowed Indian refiners to unload Russian oil shipments that were already at sea, preventing further disruption to supply chains. However, the move also exposed underlying strategic friction between Washington and New Delhi.