Washington | March 6,2026 | SKY LINK TIMES
US 30-Day Waiver Allow India to Import Russian Oil:
The United States has authorised a temporary 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian crude oil already loaded on tankers, in a move aimed at preventing disruptions in global energy markets amid rising tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The decision, announced by the US Treasury Department, permits shipments that were already in transit before early March to reach Indian ports without violating existing sanctions on Russia.
Officials said the measure is designed as a short-term stabilisation step to ensure uninterrupted oil flows to the global market during a period of geopolitical uncertainty.
Table of Contents
Temporary Waiver for Oil Already at Sea
According to the US Treasury Department, the authorisation applies only to Russian crude oil or petroleum products that were loaded onto vessels before March 5.
Under the licence issued by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), these shipments may be delivered to Indian ports until April 4.
The waiver allows Indian companies to purchase and receive these cargoes, provided the buyers are entities incorporated under Indian law.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measure is intended to maintain stability in global energy markets without providing long-term financial benefits to Russia.
“To enable oil to keep flowing into the global market, the Treasury Department is issuing a temporary 30-day waiver to allow Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil,” Bessent said.
He added that the move is a deliberately short-term step involving oil that is already stranded at sea.
Maritime Services Also Permitted
The Treasury licence also authorises several operational activities required to complete these shipments.
These include:
• Docking and anchoring of vessels
• Crew safety measures
• Emergency repairs
• Vessel management and crewing
• Bunkering and piloting services
Insurance and maritime operational support
Officials emphasised that these permissions are strictly limited to facilitating delivery of cargoes already loaded onto tankers before the deadline.
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Measure Aimed at Stabilising Energy Markets
The waiver comes at a time when geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have raised fears of disruptions to global oil supply chains.
US officials said the temporary measure will help ease pressure on energy markets and ensure that oil shipments already underway are not stranded due to sanctions restrictions.
Bessent also described India as an essential strategic partner of the United States, expressing expectations that New Delhi could expand purchases of American oil in the future.
Sanctions on Russia Remain in Place
The Treasury Department clarified that the waiver does not represent a broader relaxation of sanctions on Russia.
The licence only covers shipments already loaded before March 5 and does not allow any new transactions that violate US sanctions laws.
Additionally, the authorisation does not permit dealings involving Iran or Iranian-origin goods or services, which remain prohibited under existing regulations.
The United States and its Western allies imposed extensive sanctions on Russia following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, targeting sectors including finance, defence, and energy.
Global Energy Outlook
Energy analysts believe the temporary waiver will provide short-term relief to the global oil supply chain, particularly for major importing countries like India.
However, they caution that continued geopolitical tensions in the Middle East could still impact global oil prices and supply stability in the coming weeks.
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