1 day ago
India May Rely More on Russian Crude as Routes Tighten
India buys much of its oil from other countries.
It may buy more Russian oil because several important oil routes are facing problems.
India is also considering oil from the United States, West Africa and Latin America.
The Indian crude basket cost $128.70 per barrel on September 14, 2026.
It had crossed $100 the week before.
Attacks and disruptions near Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Red Sea are making oil transportation more difficult.
Ships may need to travel farther and pay more for insurance.
This could make fuel more expensive for India and increase pressure on the country’s economy.
India is expected to increase reliance on Russian crude after a steep drop in August.
The Indian crude basket reached $128.70 per barrel on September 14, 2026, after exceeding $100 the previous week.
Disruptions involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and key oil routes are reducing supply flexibility.
India may diversify imports across Russia, the United States, West Africa, Latin America and other non-Middle East sources.
Higher crude prices, freight, insurance and longer voyages could raise India’s import bill and inflation risks.
- Who
- India, its oil importers and Russian crude suppliers are central to the development; Sumit Ritolia of Kpler provided the assessment.
- What
- India is expected to rely more on Russian crude while diversifying imports as oil routes face disruption and prices rise.
- Where
- The effects concern India’s oil supply, with disruptions involving Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the Red Sea, the Black Sea and the Baltic.
- When
- The Indian crude basket was reported at $128.70 per barrel on September 14, 2026, after crossing $100 the previous week; the article also refers to a steep drop in August.
- Why
- Disrupted routes, reduced routing flexibility and higher freight and insurance costs are increasing supply-security concerns and the landed cost of oil.
Key facts
- Indian crude basket
- $128.70 per barrel on September 14, 2026
- Recent price threshold
- The basket breached $100 per barrel the previous week
- Import strategy
- India is expected to diversify across Russia, the United States, West Africa, Latin America and other non-Middle East sources
- Saudi infrastructure
- Saudi Arabia shut the East–West Pipeline after a drone attack
- Regional disruption
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels seized an island guarding the entrance to the Red Sea
- Economic risks
- Higher oil costs could pressure India’s import bill, current account, rupee, inflation, oil-marketing-company margins and government finances
Quotes
Sumit Ritolia
Senior Manager, modelling, at maritime intelligence firm Kpler
“For India, that means a higher oil import bill, more pressure on the current account and rupee, and a greater inflationary risk if elevated energy costs persist. There is also a potential impact on OMC margins and the government's fiscal position if domestic fuel prices are not allowed to fully reflect the increase in international crude and freight costs.”
businesstoday.in
“Russian crude remains particularly important. With multiple chokepoints facing disruption, Russian barrels routed through the Black Sea and Baltic become more valuable from a supply-security perspective.”
businesstoday.in
Sources
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