Jin10 data reported on August 20 that Evgeny Griva, the Deputy Trade Representative of Russia in India, stated that even if India faces higher U.S. tariffs, Russia still expects India to continue purchasing its oil. Griva mentioned on Wednesday that India's imports of Russian oil may remain at current levels. This statement comes amid escalating tariff tensions between the U.S. and India. Trump has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods and threatened to increase the tariffs to 50% on August 27, with half of the penalties targeting India's purchase of Russian oil, which the U.S. believes helps fund Putin's war in Ukraine. India defends its right to procure from the cheapest sources, claiming the tariffs are "unreasonable." Griva indicated that Russia's oil prices to India are at about a 5% discount, leaving India with almost no alternatives. By mid-2025, India's imports of Russian oil are about 1.7 million barrels per day, accounting for nearly 37% of the country's total overseas procurement.