India's Russian Oil Imports Surge 90% Amid Hormuz Supply Disruptions

Original: India’s Russian oil imports surge 90% amid Hormuz disruption

The Economic Times•Apr 3, 20262 min

In a Nutshell

In March 2026, India saw a 90% increase in crude oil imports from Russia compared to February, despite an overall decline in oil imports due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has led India to explore alternative energy sources as it faced a 40% drop in LPG imports and reduced LNG supplies.

Key Points

01India's crude oil imports from Russia surged by 90% in March 2026.
02Overall oil imports in India fell nearly 15% due to supply disruptions.
03LPG imports decreased by 40%, prompting a search for alternative sources.
04Middle Eastern countries are rerouting supplies to mitigate disruptions.
05India's LNG imports from Qatar dropped by 92% due to force majeure.

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Full Summary

In March 2026, India experienced a significant 90% increase in crude oil imports from Russia compared to February, as reported by The Times of India. This surge occurred despite a nearly 15% decline in India's overall oil imports due to supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global energy shipments. The disruptions also led to a sharp 40% drop in India's LPG imports and a 92% plunge in LNG imports from Qatar, as QatarEnergy declared force majeure on long-term contract supplies. To mitigate these challenges, India is exploring alternative sources, including increased imports from African nations like Angola and Nigeria. Analysts indicate that Russian oil supplies are expected to remain robust in April, with potential contributions from Iran and Venezuela. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern producers are adapting by rerouting supplies through pipelines that bypass Hormuz, providing some relief amid the ongoing supply challenges.

Key Figures

90%

Increase in crude oil imports from Russia

15%

Decline in overall oil imports

40%

Drop in LPG imports

92%

Decrease in LNG imports from Qatar

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Why It Matters

The surge in Russian oil imports and the decline in LPG and LNG supplies could lead to changes in energy pricing and availability for consumers in India.

Who is affected

Indian consumers, particularly those relying on LPG for cooking and industries dependent on LNG.

What to know

Consumers should stay informed about potential changes in energy prices and availability.

FAQ

The surge was primarily due to a 30-day waiver from the United States allowing buyers to receive sanctioned oil cargoes already in transit.

The disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz led to a decline in overall oil imports, a significant drop in LPG imports, and a sharp decrease in LNG imports from Qatar.

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