India's purchases of Russian crude oil could nearly halve from already reduced levels following a White House directive, according to sources familiar with the transactions. The order, stemming from a broader US-India trade agreement, mandates stricter compliance with sanctions and pricing mechanisms, significantly impacting New Delhi's energy strategy.

This shift reflects India's balancing act between its energy security needs and diplomatic pressures from its key partner, the United States. Russian oil has been a critical component of India's import portfolio, offering competitive pricing, but the new terms impose substantial logistical and financial hurdles. White House order effectively tightens the noose around New Delhi's ability to continue sourcing discounted Russian barrels, forcing a potential rapid reorientation of its energy procurement. The move underscores the geopolitical leverage the US wields in shaping global energy flows and India's constrained autonomy in its energy sourcing decisions. Trade deal terms now dictate a sharp reduction, compelling India to seek alternative suppliers or renegotiate existing contracts at potentially higher costs, with immediate market repercussions expected as the world's third-largest oil importer adjusts its supply chain.