New Delhi, Aug. 12 -- India is caught between a rock and a hard place, navigating fresh US tariffs of up to 50% while maintaining long-standing ties with Russia. At the heart of the dilemma: India's oil purchases from Moscow.

With the higher tariff posing a significant disadvantage, many experts suggest New Delhi could gradually pivot away from Russian oil. Such a shift would come at limited macroeconomic cost, though refiners could face reduced diesel yields, tighter margins, and higher procurement expenses.

India imported crude oil worth $143 billion in FY25, of which $50.2 billion came from Russia.

The switch may not be prohibitive.

Historically, India wasn't a major importer of Russian crude. Before Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukrai...