India Reduces Reliance on Russian Crude, Boosts Imports From Middle East

India’s largest private refiner, Reliance Industries, is scaling back purchases of Russian crude oil and increasing imports from the Middle East, signaling a gradual realignment of the country’s energy strategy amid U.S. pressure to curb Moscow’s revenues.

The Gaze reports this, referring to Bloomberg.

Traders familiar with the matter said Reliance recently bought at least 2.5 million barrels of oil, including Iraq’s Basrah Medium as well as Al-Shaheen and Qatar Land grades. 

The company has also been exploring options to secure crudes with quality similar to Russian blends, while diversifying its supply base across the Gulf region.

“On top of the flurry of spot purchases, Reliance has also been making enquiries to a large number of potential counterparties about the availability of oil from the region of quality similar to Russian crude,” traders told Bloomberg.

Reliance has long been India’s biggest importer of Russian oil, relying heavily on discounted barrels from Moscow since Western sanctions redirected Russian exports toward Asian buyers. 

However, the latest moves indicate a measured shift away from Russian dependence, as New Delhi faces mounting geopolitical and economic pressure.

Energy analysts say the latest purchases of Middle Eastern grades such as Basrah Medium and Al-Shaheen mark the first visible stage of diversification, with Reliance seeking to balance cost efficiency with geopolitical stability.

Washington has intensified efforts to limit India’s purchases of Russian crude, arguing that proceeds from energy sales help finance Russia’s war against Ukraine. 

As The Gaze reported earlier, on October 16, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that India had agreed to end all imports of Russian oil, though New Delhi has not confirmed the statement.

Indian refiners have indicated they plan to scale back, but not halt, Russian purchases, citing price advantages and supply security as key considerations.