India began importing Russian oil in 2022, capitalizing on lower prices and availability. This decision was made, according to Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, at the request of the United States. The stated goal of the purchases was to prevent a surge in global oil prices and maintain market stability. Jaishankar revealed that the US sought India’s assistance in mitigating the impact of sanctions on Russian oil. This strategy involved India purchasing oil that would have otherwise been difficult for Russia to sell due to international restrictions. The move highlights a complex geopolitical situation where India balanced its own economic interests with requests from a key partner, the US, regarding sanctioned Russian energy resources. The purchases continued as a means to contribute to the broader objective of a stabilized global oil market.