India Hits Record Russian Crude Imports Amid Middle East Supply Shifts

Preliminary vessel-tracking data from Kpler indicates that Russian supply accounted for 53.5% of India’s total oil intake so far this month. The shift follows the U.S. decision to allow a key waiver on Russian oil sales to expire, though analysts anticipate demand will remain resilient regardless of regulatory changes. Sumit Ritolia, a manager at Kpler, cited persistent discounts and robust refinery appetite as the primary drivers behind the current buying spree.

While Russia remains the nation’s largest supplier, the supply chain crunch in the Middle East is pushing India to expand its procurement network. State and private refiners are increasingly securing barrels from Nigeria, Angola, Brazil, and Venezuela to offset regional volatility. This diversification strategy underscores India's focus on maintaining energy security even as global sanctions and maritime tensions complicate traditional trade routes.