India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, is exploring a return to Russian crude purchases to safeguard its energy security. This strategic shift comes as escalating conflict in Iran and retaliatory strikes across the Middle East severely disrupt traditional supply routes. Indian government officials and state-owned refiners have reportedly held emergency meetings to evaluate purchasing Russian oil currently held in floating storage across Asia. The move highlights the growing pressure on major importers to find alternative sources as regional instability threatens global energy flows. Analysts suggest that this pivot could further fragment the global energy market while underscoring the severity of the current supply shock. Consequently, global benchmarks like Brent and WTI remain under upward pressure as the market adjusts to these geopolitical risks.
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