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Indian state-owned refineries have returned to purchasing Russian oil after a brief pause, despite high duties and criticism from U.S. officials. About writes Bloomberg, citing informed sources.

Indian refineries, including Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum, have purchased several shipments of Urals over the past two days. The shipments are scheduled for September and October.

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Earlier this month, India's state-owned refineries temporarily suspended procurement after the US President Donald Trump condemned the country's participation in the Russian oil trade and threatened economic sanctions.

New Delhi has asked oil refiners to prepare plans to reduce dependence on Russia in the event of a complete supply cutoff.

American officials have criticized India for buying Russian oil. In particular, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said that the growth of imports from Russia is due to "the profits of India's big oil lobbyists" rather than the country's needs.

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent added that some of India's richest families benefit from the purchase of Russian oil and emphasized plans to increase duties on imports from India.

Trump threatens to raise duties on all Indian goods to 50% starting August 27, half of which are related to the purchase of Russian oil.

Tense relations with the United States have brought India closer to Moscow and Beijing. Prime Minister of the country Modi recently called the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin "friend" and plans to visit China for the first time in seven years.