The US has announced it will not extend waivers that allowed certain imports of Russian oil, intensifying pressure on an already strained energy market due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. This decision comes as India's foreign secretary discussed the waiver during a recent visit to the USA, highlighting India's concerns over supply chain disruptions caused by the war in West Asia. Despite the US stance, India may continue its oil imports from Russia, asserting its sovereign rights. Notably, India's crude oil purchases from Russia skyrocketed to $5.8 billion in March 2024, up from $1.54 billion in February, according to the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Additionally, India imported coal and oil products from Russia worth $371 million and $196 million, respectively, in March. Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has assured that Russia will increase its energy exports to India, emphasizing the reliability of India's partnership compared to Western nations. Since March 2022, India has become a crucial market for Russian oil, purchasing almost 2 million barrels per day and nearly $44 billion worth of crude oil last year.