India's imports of Russian crude oil witnessed a substantial 29% month-on-month reduction in December 2025, according to analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). This decline brought the import volumes to their lowest point since the implementation of the price cap policy on Russian oil. Consequently, India, previously a leading buyer, fell to the third position among global importers of Russian fossil fuels, with Turkey displacing it to become the second-largest buyer, while China remained at the top. The sharp drop was largely driven by significant cuts from major Indian refiners. Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery notably reduced its Russian crude imports by half, and state-owned refineries also scaled back their purchases by 15% in December. These adjustments in procurement strategies by Indian refiners are primarily in response to tightened Western sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States targeting Russian oil entities like Rosneft and Lukoil, increasing compliance risks. Despite this recent downturn, Russia still accounts for a significant portion of India's overall crude oil imports, though its share decreased from approximately 35% in November to around 25% in December. Experts suggest that while this reflects a near-term adjustment, India's energy strategy continues to balance affordability and security, with Russia remaining a crucial supplier.