Archive · 28 Sep 2026
India’s Russian Crude Imports Fall as Refiners Diversify
India bought less oil from Russia in September than it had in recent months.
The amount was about 1.74 million barrels each day, the lowest level since April.
However, India bought more oil overall because its refineries were operating at high levels.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia supplied more oil to replace some of the Russian shipments.
India also increased purchases from other regions, including Africa and Venezuela.
Pressure from the United States and other political risks encouraged refiners to keep several supply options open.
Prices, availability, shipping and refinery needs also influenced the decisions.
Russia remains an important supplier to India.
Kpler said the changes do not necessarily mean India will stop buying Russian oil.
India imported about 1.74–1.75 million barrels per day of Russian crude in September, the lowest level since April.
India’s total crude imports rose to about 5.3 million barrels per day, reflecting stronger refinery activity and domestic demand.
Iraq and Saudi Arabia increased supplies, offsetting much of the decline in Russian crude imports.
Middle Eastern imports reached about 3 million barrels per day, while African and Venezuelan supplies also contributed to diversification.
Kpler said the shift reflects geopolitical pressure, prices, availability, refinery compatibility and logistics—not necessarily a permanent move away from Russian crude.
- Who
- Indian refiners, Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United States and Kpler analyst Sumit Ritolia.
- What
- India reduced Russian crude imports while increasing total crude imports and purchases from several alternative suppliers.
- When
- In September, compared with August, July and the previous year.
- Where
- India’s crude-import market, with supplies from Russia, the Middle East, Africa and Venezuela.
- Why
- Refiners responded to geopolitical risks and pressure from the United States while also considering prices, availability, refinery compatibility, demand and shipping conditions.
Flexible, Temporary Diversification
Growing Caution Toward Russian Oil
Meaning of the lower Russian volumes
Flexible, Temporary Diversification
The decline reflects refiners switching suppliers based on economics, availability, refinery compatibility and logistics, rather than abandoning Russian crude.
Growing Caution Toward Russian Oil
Continued United States pressure and possible punitive measures could make Indian refiners more cautious and lead to further reductions in Russian purchases.
Future of Russian crude purchases
Flexible, Temporary Diversification
Russia remains a major part of India’s crude supply, and refiners may reduce purchases temporarily while continuing to use Russian barrels when conditions are favorable.
Growing Caution Toward Russian Oil
Uncertainty over enforcement, potential waivers and geopolitical risks could make alternative suppliers more attractive during periods of heightened scrutiny.
- Total Indian crude imports
- About 5.3 million barrels per day in September.
- Russian crude imports
- About 1.74 million barrels per day in September, compared with 2.02 million in August and 2.65 million in July.
- Lowest recent level
- September imports were the lowest since 1.58 million barrels per day in April.
- Iraqi crude supply
- About 575,000 barrels per day in September, up from 163,000 in August.
- Saudi crude supply
- About 566,000 barrels per day in September, up from 347,000 in August.
- United Arab Emirates supply
- About 480,000 barrels per day in September, down from 546,000 in August.
- Middle Eastern imports
- Estimated at about 3 million barrels per day in September, broadly returning to pre-war levels.
- Data source
- Ship-tracking and commodities analytics data from Kpler.
