Regional Geopolitical Alignment Influences Energy Partnership Sustainability Assessments

Regional geopolitical alignment influenced sustainability assessments of energy partnerships in India’s 2025 crude procurement, with long-term strategic compatibility gaining importance. While US crude imports to India increased by 65.6% to $8.2 billion during April-December 2025, Russian crude imports contracted by more than 17%, falling from $40 billion to $33.1 billion in the same period.
December 2025 procurement reflected alignment considerations. Russian crude shipments to India declined by 15.15% to $2.71 billion from $3.2 billion in December 2024, as India evaluated the sustainability of energy partnerships amid broader regional dynamics. Geopolitical alignment on regional security and economic issues affected partnership durability assessments.
Well-aligned suppliers strengthened relationships. Saudi Arabia’s 61% growth to $1.75 billion in December 2025 built on strong regional alignment and shared interests. The United States’ 31% increase to $569.30 million reflected growing strategic partnership across multiple domains. Iraq and the UAE, contributing $2.37 billion and $1.65 billion respectively, maintained regional alignment with India.
Alignment assessments sharpened following the US imposition of a 25% punitive tariff on Indian goods on August 27, 2025. This policy demonstrated how misalignment on one issue could affect energy relationships. India increasingly evaluated whether crude suppliers aligned with its broader regional and global strategic interests. Russian crude imports declined from $3.62 billion in July 2025 to $2.71 billion in December 2025.
India’s total crude oil imports from all sources reached $11.29 billion in December 2025, up 9.1% from $10.34 billion in December 2024. Cumulative imports for April-December 2025 totaled $105.10 billion, compared to $109.33 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. The alignment factor demonstrates how energy partnerships reflect broader strategic relationships.