India's Russian Crude Oil Imports Skyrocket by 90% in March 2026
In a significant shift in global energy dynamics, India's purchase of crude oil from Russia surged by an impressive 90% in March 2026 compared to the previous month. This dramatic increase occurred even as the nation's overall crude imports declined by nearly 15%, primarily due to disruptions in energy supplies originating from West Asia.
Impact of Strait of Hormuz Disruption on Energy Imports
The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy transit, had far-reaching consequences for India's import portfolio. Petroleum gas (LPG) imports plummeted by 40%, and shipments of natural gas (LNG) also experienced a notable decline during March. These challenges forced New Delhi to actively scout for alternative sources to secure its energy needs.
Strategic Shifts in India's Energy Sourcing Map
Following subdued purchases in December 2025 and the initial months of 2026, imports from Russia witnessed a sharp surge. This uptick was facilitated by a 30-day waiver announced by the United States, which permitted the purchase of sanctioned Russian oil that was already at sea. Additionally, imports from African nations such as Angola, Gabon, Ghana, and Congo saw an increase, although their overall contribution to India's oil basket remained relatively modest.
Sumit Ritoia, lead analyst at global data analytics firm Kpler, provided insights into the evolving scenario. "Middle Eastern producers are partially rerouting supplies via pipelines that bypass Hormuz — notably Saudi Arabia's East-West (Yanbu) pipeline and the UAE's Habshan-Fujairah pipeline. These flows have provided incremental relief, allowing India to continue sourcing some volumes from the region despite maritime constraints," he explained.
Ritoia further highlighted that the purchase of Russian oil is expected to persist into April, with potential for the acquisition of Iranian barrels as well. "India is also expected to start receiving Venezuelan barrels from April onwards which would help mitigate some of the crude supply risk," he added, underscoring the diversification efforts underway.
LNG Supplies and Mitigation Strategies
India's liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies from Qatar experienced a drastic reduction, falling by 92% compared to February. This decline was attributed to a force majeure declared by QatarEnergy, which holds long-term contracts with New Delhi, compounded by the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. To offset this shortfall, India ramped up imports from the United States, Oman, Angola, and Nigeria.
The sharp decrease in LPG imports was partially mitigated through strategic domestic measures. Authorities increased domestic production and restricted supplies to commercial and industrial consumers, ensuring the availability of cooking gas for India's vast customer base of over 33.2 crore households.
This comprehensive analysis reveals India's adaptive strategies in navigating complex global energy landscapes, balancing geopolitical considerations with domestic energy security imperatives.
