The US government has announced an extension of a waiver that permits India and other nations to buy Russian oil and petroleum products, effective until May 16, 2023. This decision comes as global energy prices have surged due to ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The waiver allows for the purchase of oil loaded on vessels as of April 11, 2023, and follows discussions between Indian officials and US authorities regarding the need for stable energy supplies. Notably, India's crude oil imports from Russia skyrocketed to $5.8 billion in March 2023, up from $1.54 billion in February. This increase highlights India's growing reliance on Russian oil, with the country purchasing nearly 2 million barrels per day in 2024. The Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has confirmed that Russia is prepared to enhance energy exports to India, including crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG). The extension of the waiver could complicate Western efforts to limit Russia's revenue from oil sales amid its ongoing conflict in Ukraine.