India has increased crude oil imports from Russia and the United States in June, surpassing intake from traditional Middle Eastern suppliers.
This development comes amid growing geopolitical unrest following Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and mounting concerns over the security of oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to preliminary data from global analytics firm Kpler, Indian refiners are importing between 2.1 to 2.2 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude this month, marking a two-year high and accounting for over 35% of India’s crude needs. Imports from the U.S. also surged, reaching 439,000 bpd, up from 280,000 bpd in May.
By contrast, supplies from Middle Eastern nations like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait have dropped to about 2.0 million bpd, reflecting a strategic diversification trend driven by both cost and logistical concerns.
“India’s June 2025 crude oil imports tell a story of strategic positioning, not panic,” said Sumit Ritolia, Lead Analyst at Kpler. “Russian oil acts as a logistical and financial shield, while U.S. and Atlantic Basin volumes offer supply flexibility.”
This pivot echoes a pattern seen since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when Western sanctions made Russian oil more financially attractive. The recent spike in Gulf tensions—highlighted by fears of a Strait of Hormuz disruption—has only reinforced India’s intent to reduce dependency on the region.
Industry analysts caution that even if full-scale disruption remains unlikely, Indian refiners are acting preemptively by scaling back July nominations for Gulf oil and preparing to lean further on spot purchases from Russia, the U.S., and West Africa.
With the global energy landscape growing more volatile, India’s diversified approach showcases a pragmatic blueprint for energy resilience in uncertain times.
