India taps alternative crude supplies as Iran conflict drags on

India seeks alternative crude oil supplies from the U.S., Russia, and West Africa amid ongoing West Asia conflict.

Indian refiners have begun negotiating for additional crude cargoes from the U.S., Russia and West Africa to ensure supplies remain adequate in the event the West Asia conflict drags on for a longer period, industry officials and analysts said.

Refineries, which convert crude oil into fuels like petrol and diesel, have deferred planned maintenance shutdowns and are maintaining normal processing rates to create buffers that could meet the country's requirement in the near term, they said.

India imports about 88% of its crude oil requirement, with roughly half of those supplies in February passing through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow sea lane between Iran and Oman that serves as a key energy transit route for global markets.

Israel-Iran war updates on March 8, 2026

The recent military strikes by the U.S. and Israel on Iran, and Tehran's retaliatory attacks on U.S. bases in neighbouring countries as well as Israel, have sharply escalated tensions in the region, leading to a near halt in tanker movements through the strategic waterway.

"Non-strait sources are fully operational and we are sourcing more and more supplies from non-conflict zones," a top oil Ministry source said. "Non-strait sources accounted for 60% of supplies in 2025 which after the Middle East conflict climbed to 70%."