India’s Russian Oil Imports Decline 26% in August

India’s imports of Russian crude oil declined by around 

26% in August 2026 compared with the record levels recorded in July, reflecting tighter Russian supply availability and increased competition from Chinese refiners. According to provisional tanker-tracking data, India imported approximately 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in August, compared with about 2.82 million bpd in July.

Key Highlights

..26.3% decline: Russian crude imports fell from 2.82 million bpd in July to nearly 2.08 million bpd in August. .

.. Russia’s share reduced: Its share of India’s total crude imports fell from about 55.9% to nearly 45%.

.. Overall imports affected: India’s total crude imports declined by around 8.4% during August.

..China factor: Stronger Chinese demand for discounted Russian crude increased competition for available supplies.

..Energy security focus: The changing import pattern highlights the importance of maintaining diversified and resilient crude supply chains.

The decline does not necessarily indicate a structural shift away from Russian crude. Indian refiners continue to evaluate supplies based on price competitiveness, availability, freight costs and evolving international market conditions. The August reduction also came amid refinery maintenance and lower Russian export availability.

From a governance and energy-security perspective, the development underlines the importance of diversification in India’s crude procurement strategy. Greater flexibility in sourcing crude from multiple regions can help reduce exposure to supply disruptions, geopolitical risks and sudden changes in international prices.

The changing competitive environment also demonstrates the growing influence of major Asian economies in the global oil market. China’s purchasing activity can affect the availability and pricing of Russian barrels for Indian refiners.

For India, ensuring adequate crude availability remains essential for maintaining domestic fuel supplies, supporting economic activity and managing inflationary pressures. With global oil markets facing continuing geopolitical and supply-related uncertainties, policymakers and refiners will need to closely monitor international trade flows and strengthen long-term energy resilience.