Russia's Share of India's Oil Imports Hit a Record Above 50% in July

According to Oilprice.com, citing Reuters, in a report published Friday, August 14, 2026 (23 Mordad 1405), Russian crude accounted for more than 50 percent of India's total oil imports in July, the highest share Russia has ever recorded in India's import mix. Trade sources cited by Reuters said Russia exported crude to India at a rate of about 2.47 million barrels a day in July, up 62.4 percent from a year earlier and representing 50.83 percent of total oil imports into India, the world's third largest oil buyer.

July's volume was nonetheless a slight decline from June's average of 2.6 million barrels a day. The shift comes as Western sanctions on Russian oil exports and reduced Persian Gulf oil flows tied to the Strait of Hormuz crisis have reshaped the buying patterns of India and other major Asian importers in recent months.