{"id":81483,"date":"2026-03-07T13:52:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T10:52:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nationalturk.com\/en\/?p=81483"},"modified":"2026-03-07T13:52:52","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T10:52:52","slug":"us-asks-india-to-buy-russian-oil-as-hormuz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nationalturk.com\/en\/us-asks-india-to-buy-russian-oil-as-hormuz\/","title":{"rendered":"US asks India to buy Russian oil as Hormuz crisis shakes global markets"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ongoing Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a major shift in US energy policy. After previously criticising India for importing Russian oil, Washington is now urging New Delhi to purchase the same crude in order to keep global oil supplies flowing and ease pressure on international markets.<\/p>\n

Hormuz crisis disrupts global oil supply<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The war in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz \u2014 through which roughly 20% of the world\u2019s oil supply passes \u2014 have sent crude prices to their highest levels since the summer of 2024.<\/p>\n

To ease the pressure on global markets, the US has encouraged India<\/a> to buy Russian crude currently stranded at sea.<\/p>\n

India given a 30-day window<\/strong><\/h2>\n

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said India had been granted a 30-day window to purchase Russian oil shipments already waiting on tankers.<\/p>\n

Bessent described India<\/a> as a \u201cvery good actor\u201d and said the move would help reduce supply pressure in global energy markets.<\/p>\n

India never fully stopped buying Russian oil<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Following Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China and India became the largest buyers of Russian crude. At one point, India accounted for nearly 40% of Russia\u2019s oil exports.<\/p>\n

Although US sanctions later reduced those purchases, India never fully halted imports. Russian oil accounted for about 21% of India\u2019s imports in January, rising again to roughly 30% in February.<\/p>\n

Heavy dependence on imported energy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

India imports nearly 90% of its total energy needs, with around 40\u201350% of its crude oil imports coming from the Middle East.<\/p>\n

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, Russian crude offers an alternative supply route that could help offset the disruption.<\/p>\n

Millions of barrels waiting at sea<\/strong><\/h3>\n

According to reports, Indian refiners have already purchased more than 10 million barrels of Russian crude.<\/p>\n

Another 15 million barrels are currently stored on tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal and could reach Indian ports within days.<\/p>\n

Why Washington changed its stance<\/strong><\/h3>\n

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the request to India was aimed at easing pressure on global refining capacity and stabilising oil prices.<\/p>\n

If Indian refineries quickly process the Russian oil stored at sea, it would immediately bring additional supply into the market and reduce competition among other countries trying to secure crude.<\/p>\n

India\u2019s growing role in global energy markets<\/strong><\/h2>\n

India is the world\u2019s third-largest oil importer, the fourth-largest refining hub, and the fifth-largest exporter of petroleum products.<\/p>\n

By buying discounted Russian crude and refining it for global markets since 2022, India has emerged as a key player in maintaining stability in international energy supply.
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