Russian oil: The US to remove additional 25% penalty on India from Feb 7
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: The United States on Saturday said India has “committed to stop directly or indirectly” importing Russian oil, following which the additional 25 percent tariffs imposed on Indian imports into the US will be removed from February 7.
According to an executive order issued by the White House, India has also “committed” to a framework with the US to expand defence cooperation over the next 10 years.
“Effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from the warehouse for consumption, on or after 12.01 am eastern standard time on February 7, 2026, products of India imported into the United States shall no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 said.
The US had, in April 2025, imposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs and also imposed in August 2025 an additional 25 percent levy on goods imported from India over its purchase of Russian crude oil.
“If the US Secretary of Commerce finds that India has resumed directly or indirectly importing Russian oil, Trump’s team 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 percent on imports of articles of India,” the executive order added.
India still imports Russian oil. The January 2026 data show nearly 1.2 million barrels per day, down from about 1.38 million bpd in December 2025, and lower than past months. Some Indian refiners are reducing imports or pausing new orders. Others continue purchases under existing contracts.
However, India stopped importing energy from two major Russian companies sanctioned by the USA.
