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India's Fuel Exports Soar Amid EU Sanctions and US Tariff Threats
6 Aug
Summary
- India became top buyer of Russian seaborne crude after 2022 invasion
- Nayara exported 3M tonnes of fuel in H1 2025, 30% of total output
- Reliance exported 21.66M tonnes of refined products in H1 2025
As of August 6th, 2025, India's fuel exports have taken center stage, with the country emerging as the top buyer of Russian seaborne crude following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Two of India's private refiners, Nayara and Reliance, have become key players in the global fuel trade.
Nayara, recently sanctioned by the European Union, exported nearly 3 million tonnes of refined fuel in the first half of 2025, accounting for 30% of its total output. Swiss-based trader Vitol was the top buyer of Nayara's refined products, including diesel and gasoline, for discharge in the United Arab Emirates and West Africa. Other major buyers included Aramco Trading, Shell, and BP.
Reliance, operator of the world's largest refining complex at Jamnagar, is an even bigger exporter. Controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, Reliance exported 21.66 million tonnes of refined products in the first six months of 2025 to buyers such as BP, Exxon Mobil, Glencore, Vitol, and Trafigura. Europe takes the biggest chunk, or 28%, of Reliance's exports.
The surge in India's fuel exports comes as the EU prepares to stop direct imports of fuels made from Russian oil starting January 21st, and as US President Donald Trump has threatened a tariff hike over India's oil purchases from Russia.
