New Delhi, Oct. 24 -- With US President Donald Trump expressing frustration over Russia's refusal to halt its hostilities in Ukraine, his administration has imposed sanctions on two big Russian suppliers of crude oil-Rosneft and Lukoil-with the aim of choking Moscow's revenues and ability to finance the war.

Together, they account for about half of Russia's crude oil exports, estimated at 4 million barrels a day. Oil prices rose in response, although the extent to which overall supply may get squeezed is unclear.

Depending on the details, Indian importers may be exposed to the brunt of this US policy shift, although roundabout multi-port trading could potentially exploit loopholes in it. Also, Rosneft owns nearly half of India's Nayara ...