US Grants India 30-Day Waiver to Accept Russian Oil Shipments Already at Sea

Scott Bessent, the US Treasury Secretary, said the United States has temporarily allowed India to accept shipments of sanctioned Russian oil that were already in transit. The 30-day waiver, effective from March 5 to April 4, 2026, permits Indian buyers to receive crude that had already been loaded onto ships before the sanctions cutoff date.

Bessent described India as a “good actor,” noting that the country had earlier complied with sanctions by reducing purchases of restricted Russian oil. The temporary measure only applies to cargoes already stranded at sea and is intended to address short-term supply gaps in global energy markets without significantly benefiting Russia.

The decision comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions affecting global oil supply routes, including disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. While maintaining its sanctions policy against Russia, the US said the waiver is a short-term step to stabilise markets and prevent price spikes. Officials also indicated that India is expected to gradually increase imports of US oil once the temporary window closes.

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