India’s Oil Imports Shift as Hormuz Disruption Cuts Middle East Supply

India’s crude oil imports dropped 13% in March compared to February, as escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupted shipments through the critical Strait of Hormuz. According to industry shipping data, the country—one of the world’s largest oil consumers—imported about 4.5 million barrels per day (bpd) during the month. The disruption significantly reduced inflows from the Middle East, traditionally a major supplier to India.

Imports from Russia surged to 2.25 million bpd in March, nearly doubling from the previous month and accounting for roughly half of India’s total crude purchases. Meanwhile, shipments from the Middle East plunged by 61% to 1.18 million bpd, bringing their share down to a record low of 26.3%. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil transit route handling nearly one-fifth of the world’s supply, has seen traffic come to a near standstill, with only a few tankers managing to reach Indian ports amid rising security risks.

To offset the sharp decline in Middle Eastern supply, Indian refiners increased purchases from Russia and boosted imports from African nations such as Angola. Russia remained India’s top oil supplier, followed by Saudi Arabia and Angola. The shift also reduced the share of OPEC oil in India’s imports to a historic low of 29%. Despite a slight annual decline in Russian imports during the fiscal year ending March 2026, recent geopolitical developments and temporary waivers from Washington have ensured that Russian crude continues to play a dominant role in India’s energy mix.

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