India's Russian crude imports slide 16.5% as US sanctions law looms

India's Russian crude imports fell 16.5% in August to ~2.1 million bpd, with September expected to decline further to 1.9 million bpd, according to trade data and Kpler. The decline predates the new US sanctions law that authorizes tariffs up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil, but the law's passage may accelerate India's diversification. Russia remains India's largest supplier, so the shift signals potential tightening in global crude flows and increased competition for non-Russian barrels.