Russian Oil Shipments to India: Tankers Transport Millions of Barrels Amidst Trump and EU Pressure
Despite increasing pressure from the United States and the European Union, India remains steadfast in its decision to import crude oil from Russia. Over the weekend, multiple tankers successfully delivered millions of barrels of Russian crude to Indian refineries, showcasing the continuity of these closely monitored shipments. Reports indicate that three Aframax vessels discharged approximately 2.2 million barrels of Russian Urals crude at private Indian refiners, with more deliveries scheduled in the coming days.
Recent Deliveries of Russian Crude
During the recent weekend, three Aframax tankers—the Achilles, Elyte, and Horae—unloaded around 2.2 million barrels of Russian Urals crude oil at Indian refineries operated by Nayara Energy Ltd and Reliance Industries Ltd. This delivery follows a brief delay and highlights the ongoing flow of Russian oil into India. Additional vessels, including the Minion and Destan, are set to deliver another 2.2 million barrels of Urals crude, with the Aldebaran positioned to unload at Mundra port. The identity of the buyers remains unconfirmed, but the Mundra port caters to both Indian Oil Corp Ltd and HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd, which is partially owned by Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd.
In a separate operation, the Aframax tanker Mikati offloaded over 720,000 barrels of Russian Varandey crude during a dual-port delivery to refineries in Kochi and Mangalore. The Kochi facility is owned by Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd, while the Mangalore facility is primarily controlled by Oil and Natural Gas Corp Ltd. These deliveries underscore India’s commitment to maintaining its energy ties with Russia amid international scrutiny.
India’s Stance on Russian Oil Imports
India’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, emphasized the nation’s enduring relationship with Russia, describing it as a “steady and time-tested partnership.” He noted that India’s connections with various countries should be evaluated independently, rather than through the lens of other nations. This statement comes in the context of ongoing discussions regarding India’s relationship with the United States, where Jaiswal expressed optimism about future developments.
Despite the hardline stance from the U.S., which includes warnings of punitive measures against countries trading with Russia, Indian authorities have not issued directives to halt Russian oil imports. This lack of guidance has left the oil industry in a state of uncertainty, particularly following claims from a senior U.S. official that India is indirectly supporting Russia’s actions in Ukraine through its oil purchases. The Indian government has not indicated any intention to cease these imports, which have been a point of contention for the U.S. and its allies.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Indian Refineries
The recent U.S. sanctions and a surprise 25% duty on Indian exports to America have disrupted the procurement strategies of both private and state-owned refineries in India. However, sources indicate that Indian authorities have not instructed refiners to stop importing Russian crude. Reliance Industries, for instance, maintains a long-term agreement with Rosneft, a major Russian oil company. India’s ongoing purchases of discounted Russian oil have raised concerns among U.S. officials and their Western counterparts, particularly as India emerges as a significant buyer of Moscow’s maritime oil exports.
The situation has become more complex following European Union sanctions imposed on Nayara Energy due to its connections with Russia. As a result, Nayara has reduced its operations, prompting business partners to explore alternative supply sources. This evolving landscape highlights the challenges faced by Indian refiners as they navigate international pressures while attempting to secure energy supplies for the country.
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