India's Russian Crude Imports Surge 90% in March Amid Hormuz Block Developments

India Turns to Russia for Crude Oil Amid Global Supply Disruptions

India sharply increased its crude oil purchases from Russia in March, with imports surging 90% over February, in a move that reflects the country's efforts to mitigate the impact of global supply disruptions. The country's overall crude intake, however, dropped nearly 15% during the same period due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.

The disruptions had a significant impact on India's energy supplies, with petroleum gas (LPG) imports plunging 40% in March. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments also declined, prompting the government to explore alternative sourcing options. This led to a sharp increase in imports from Russia, which rebounded strongly after a relatively muted buying period between December 2025 and February 2026.

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The spike in Russian oil imports followed a 30-day waiver by the United States that permitted the purchase of sanctioned oil already in transit. India also increased crude sourcing from African nations, although their overall share in the import basket remained limited. Analysts believe that Russian oil purchases are likely to continue into April, with potential additional supplies from Iran and Venezuela expected to ease supply risks.

Meanwhile, LNG imports from Qatar dropped sharply by 92% due to a force majeure declared by QatarEnergy, coupled with Hormuz-related disruptions. The shortfall was partly offset by increased imports from the US, Oman, Angola, and Nigeria.

To manage the steep fall in LPG imports, the government boosted domestic production and curbed supplies to commercial and industrial users, ensuring adequate availability for India's vast base of over 33 crore household consumers.