Why Reliance halting purchase of Russian crude doesn't mean India has bent to the US

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

56% : Fuel exports to the US, EU, and other countries that offer premium margins and worldwide exposure are Reliance's primary business drivers rather than just domestic refining.
55% : However, corporate contracts need to take compliance risks and shifting international trade conditions into account.
54% : Reliance is India's biggest purchaser of Russian crude; its Jamnagar complex has a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) section focused on exports, with a significant portion of its output going to the US and EU markets.
54% : In its release, the corporation emphasized that the transformation was finished ahead of EU deadlines, demonstrating operational discipline in the face of external shocks.
51% : Additionally, the firm avoids the possibility of secondary sanctions or market exclusion, which might jeopardize Reliance's future investment plans in petrochemicals, renewable energy, and international collaborations, by moving away from Russian crude in the export unit.
47% : The decision reads more like prudent business risk management than diplomatic capitulation since it is acknowledged that Reliance's export business generates substantial margins and international involvement.
43% : In addition, India's government protects high-value fuel markets, defends exporters, and maintains its own credibility in international trade negotiations by allowing Reliance to change course.
39% : The company clarified that this move was made in order to promptly comply with upcoming sanctions from the United States and the European Union (EU) that target refined goods made from Russian raw materials.
30% : In the meantime, the EU banned the import of petroleum products made from Russian crude starting on January 21, 2026.

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