As geopolitical tensions ripple across global energy markets, India finds itself once again recalibrating its strategic oil procurement framework. A recent report by Bloomberg suggests that New Delhi is actively considering increasing its purchases of Russian crude oil, prompted by mounting uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern supply routes amid escalating conflict linked to Iran.

For the world’s third-largest oil importer, energy security is not an abstract policy priority – it is a structural necessity tied directly to economic stability, inflation control, and industrial continuity. The reported near-disruption of shipments through the critical maritime chokepoint, the Strait of Hormuz, has intensified concerns within Indian policy circles. Historically, nearly 40% of India’s crude imports have transited this narrow corridor, making any interruption a strategic shock.

Against this backdrop, officials in New Delhi convened over the weekend with executives from state-owned refining companies to explore contingency frameworks. These discussions signal a pragmatic shift toward diversification and resilience – with Russian cargoes emerging as the most immediately viable buffer against supply instability.

According to individuals familiar with the discussions, approximately 9.5 million barrels of Russian oil are currently stationed in tankers across Asian waters. These floating inventories – often awaiting buyers due to shifting sanctions dynamics or logistical bottlenecks – represent a flexible and rapid-access resource.

For India, such availability........

© Blitz