Business · Energy & Commodities · 20 hrs ago
India's Middle East oil imports return to pre-war levels
India, the world's third-biggest oil importer, brought in about 2.8 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude per day in September, the highest level since February.
The increase came as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz rose, easing supply constraints caused by the Iran war.
At the start of the war, India had increased Russian oil purchases to make up for reduced Middle Eastern supplies.
But Russian oil imports fell about 14% in September, to around 1.8 million barrels per day, and their share of India's purchases dropped to 33.5% from 46.6%.
Middle Eastern crude made up about 54% of India's oil imports, while the country's total imports rose 20% from August to around 5.33 million barrels per day.
Russian oil is now priced close to some Middle Eastern grades, while some Gulf suppliers have cut prices and shipments take less time to reach India.
Indian refiners are likely to keep Russian purchases subdued in the coming months and choose suppliers offering better prices.
India’s Middle Eastern crude imports returned to pre-war levels in September, reaching about 2.8 million barrels per day.
Middle Eastern oil made up about 54% of India’s overall crude imports, according to ship-tracking data.
Russian crude imports fell about 14% from August to about 1.8 million barrels per day.
Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz increased, easing supply constraints caused by the Iran war.
An Indian refining source said Russian oil purchases could remain subdued as its landed cost became comparable to some Middle Eastern grades.
- Who
- Indian refiners increased purchases of Middle Eastern crude and reduced Russian oil purchases.
- What
- India’s Middle Eastern crude imports returned to pre-war levels in September, while Russian crude imports fell.
- When
- September; the articles were published on October 22, 2026.
- Where
- India’s oil imports, with Middle Eastern shipments moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Middle Eastern supplies increased, easing constraints caused by the Iran war. Russian oil’s landed cost became comparable to some Middle Eastern grades.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Middle Eastern crude accounted for 32% of India’s imports, according to the article.
Middle Eastern crude imports reached about 2.8 million barrels per day, while Russian imports fell to about 1.8 million barrels per day.
- Middle Eastern crude imports
- About 2.8 million barrels per day in September
- Middle Eastern share
- About 54% of overall imports
- Russian crude imports
- About 1.8 million barrels per day in September, down about 14% month-on-month
- Overall crude imports
- Around 5.33 million barrels per day in September
- Iraqi crude imports
- About 830,000 barrels per day in September, up from 171,000 in August
3 sources
What people are saying
We will buy from whoever offers us better prices.