India’s refiners cut back on Russian crude purchases for November delivery, as Middle East supply strengthens and prices rise amid increased competition. Business outlets report that the share of Russian crude in India’s imports falls to around 35% in September, down from a peak of about 56% in July, reflecting a shift toward alternative sourcing.
Multiple sources link the change to improving logistics and availability of West Asian/Middle East cargoes, giving buyers more options. Bloomberg adds that refiners face competition not only from other buyers but also from China, which can push up Russian oil prices, making them less attractive when alternatives are accessible.
While the coverage varies in emphasis—some focus on the changing import mix over recent months and others on delivery-month purchasing decisions—they converge on the same overall development: India buys less Russian crude when Middle East flows recover and when cost pressures make Russian supply comparatively less competitive.
