India sharply increased its crude oil imports from the Middle East in September 2026, bringing supplies back to pre-war levels as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz recovered. At the same time, Indian refiners reduced purchases of Russian oil as price discounts narrowed and Gulf supplies became more competitive.
The shift highlights how geopolitical developments, transportation costs and crude oil prices continue to influence India’s energy sourcing strategy.
Middle East Supplies Account for 54% of Imports
India’s crude oil imports from the Middle East rose to approximately 2.8 million barrels per day in September, their highest level since February, according to ship-tracking data reported by Reuters.
Middle Eastern supplies accounted for around 54% of India’s total crude oil imports, compared with 32% in August. The increase followed a recovery in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, easing supply constraints associated with the Iran war.
India had initially increased purchases of Russian crude to compensate for disruptions to Middle Eastern supplies. With Gulf shipments recovering, refiners have gained more options when sourcing oil for domestic fuel production.
Russian Oil Loses Its Price Advantage
In contrast, India’s Russian crude imports fell by approximately 14% month-on-month to around 1.8 million barrels per day in September.
Russia’s share of India’s total oil purchases declined from 46.6% in August to 33.5% in September. Although Russia remained India’s largest individual oil supplier, its relative advantage weakened as competing supplies returned to the market.
An Indian refining source told Reuters that Russian oil purchases could remain subdued in the coming months. The landed cost of Russian crude has become comparable to that of some Middle Eastern grades, particularly Iraqi oil.
The premium on Russian crude relative to Brent fell to around $1–$2 per barrel, compared with more than $10 in recent months. This reduced the financial incentive for refiners to favour Russian supplies.
Iraqi Oil Imports Surge
India’s overall crude oil imports increased by 20% month-on-month to approximately 5.33 million barrels per day in September.
Iraq recorded a particularly sharp increase in shipments to India. Imports of Iraqi crude climbed to around 830,000 barrels per day in September, compared with approximately 171,000 barrels per day in August.
The United Arab Emirates and Iraq remained among India’s leading suppliers after Russia. Shorter shipping times for Gulf crude and price adjustments by some Middle Eastern producers have also improved the region’s competitiveness.
What This Means for India’s Energy Strategy
The latest figures suggest Indian refiners are adjusting their purchasing decisions according to price, availability and delivery costs rather than relying exclusively on one supplier.
Russia may continue to supply substantial volumes, but its future share will depend partly on whether its crude remains attractively priced against competing grades. Meanwhile, the recovery in Middle Eastern shipments gives India greater flexibility in managing its energy requirements.
For India, a major crude oil importer, diversifying supply options remains important for balancing energy security and costs. However, the latest import data alone does not establish whether the shift will translate into lower domestic petrol and diesel prices.
Summary
India’s Middle East crude oil imports returned to pre-war levels in September 2026, reaching around 2.8 million barrels per day and accounting for 54% of total imports. Russian crude purchases fell 14% as price discounts narrowed. Iraqi shipments surged, while recovering Gulf supplies gave Indian refiners more flexibility to choose oil based on cost, availability and delivery time.
