India's Crude Oil Imports from Russia Surge Amid Global Supply Disruptions
Significant Increase in Russian Oil Imports
New Delhi: In March, India saw a dramatic rise in crude oil imports from Russia, with a staggering 90% increase compared to February. This surge occurred despite an overall decline of nearly 15% in the country's total oil imports, primarily due to disruptions in energy supplies from West Asia, as reported by a leading news outlet.
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy passage, contributed to a 40% drop in India's LPG (cooking gas) imports and a reduction in LNG (liquefied natural gas) shipments. Consequently, India has been compelled to seek alternative energy sources.
After experiencing lower imports in December 2025 and the initial months of 2026, the influx of Russian oil increased following a 30-day waiver granted by the United States, which permitted countries to purchase sanctioned oil already in transit. Additionally, India has ramped up imports from African nations such as Angola, Gabon, Ghana, and Congo, although these contributions remain minor in the overall oil mix.
According to Sumit Ritoia, a lead analyst at a global data analytics firm, Middle Eastern producers are partially redirecting supplies through pipelines that circumvent Hormuz, including Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline and the UAE's Habshan-Fujairah pipeline. These adjustments have provided some relief, enabling India to maintain a degree of sourcing from the region despite maritime challenges.
Looking ahead, Ritoia indicated that India is expected to continue its Russian oil purchases in April and may also explore imports from Iran. Furthermore, the country is anticipated to begin receiving Venezuelan oil shipments starting in April, which could alleviate some crude supply risks.
On another note, India's LNG imports from Qatar plummeted by 92% compared to February, attributed to a force majeure declared by QatarEnergy, which holds long-term supply agreements with India, alongside the ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. However, this shortfall was somewhat mitigated by increased imports from the United States, Oman, Angola, and Nigeria.
To manage the decline in LPG imports, India has enhanced domestic production and restricted supplies to commercial and industrial users, ensuring that cooking gas remains accessible for over 33.2 crore households.