India has seen a dramatic rise in crude oil imports from the United States during the first half of 2025. According to recent data, India imported an average of 0.271 million barrels of US crude oil per day between January and June—an impressive 51% surge over the same period in 2024, when imports stood at 0.18 million barrels daily. The growth was even sharper in the April–June quarter, with US crude oil imports more than doubling, showing a 114% year-on-year jump. In value terms, the spending on American crude jumped from $1.73 billion in early 2024–25 to $3.7 billion in the same period this year.
Rising LNG and LPG Trade with America
India’s energy partnership with the US goes far beyond just crude oil. Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from America have also expanded notably. LNG imports from the US reached $2.46 billion in the 2024–25 financial year—almost double the $1.41 billion spent the year before. Similarly, India’s LPG imports from the US rose sharply, helping meet robust domestic demand amid a plateau in local production. The government and energy sector are reportedly exploring new long-term contracts for US LNG, signaling that this upward trade trend is set to continue.
Impact and Future Prospects
The sharp rise in US energy imports marks a new chapter in India’s strategy to strengthen energy security and diversify supply sources. With the US share in India’s total crude oil imports climbing from just 3% last year to 8% by July 2025, the partnership is becoming a vital pillar in the two countries’ economic relationship. The energy trade boom also supports India’s efforts to keep fuel prices stable and supply uninterrupted in the face of global challenges.