Kamal Ghorui
Russia is prepared to redirect crude shipments to India to offset supply disruptions caused by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Reuters reported, citing sources. Nearly 9.5 million barrels of Russian oil are now positioned near Indian waters and able to arrive within weeks.The emergency supply push comes as the near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz — through which some 40% of India’s crude imports transit — threatens to choke the country’s energy security following Iranian strikes on vessels in retaliation for recent US and Israeli attacks on targets inside Iran.
The report citing confirmation from a government official said that New Delhi is urgently scouting for alternative oil supplies to cover at least the next 10–15 days, anticipating further turbulence in the region.India, the world’s third‑largest crude consumer, maintains only modest reserves, with national stocks covering roughly 25 days of demand, and similarly shortfalls in refined fuel inventories.Reuters, citing an industry insider with direct knowledge of the matter, reported that Russia has indicated readiness to meet up to 40% of India’s crude requirement if Middle Eastern flows remain constrained. The person declined to specify the original destination of the diverted tanker fleet but noted that the cargoes can be discharged at Indian ports within weeks, offering refiners short-term relief.India’s state and private refiners together process around 5.6 million barrels of crude per day and are in regular touch with traders marketing Russian barrels. However, any fresh increase in Russian intake would depend on government direction, given that trade discussions with Washington remain sensitive.Russia’s oil supply to IndiaRussian crude’s share of India’s imports had dropped to about 1.1 million barrels per day in January, the lowest since November 2022, as New Delhi sought to ease friction with the United States over sanctions exposure.By February, volumes had rebounded to around 30% of total imports, according to market data.US President Donald Trump last month announced a suspension of punitive tariffs on Indian imports after claiming that New Delhi had agreed to “stop buying Russian oil” — a position India has denied. Officials insist the country’s energy strategy remains driven by diversification and prevailing market conditions rather than geopolitics.India’s foreign ministry, oil ministry and the Russian embassy in New Delhi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Indian sources said that, even days before tensions escalated into direct hostilities with Iran, no advisory had been issued instructing companies to avoid Russian crude.
