India's Russian Crude Imports Surge to Record Highs in June 2026 Amid Middle East Disruptions and Shifting Trade Dynamics

India is on track to import a record volume of Russian crude oil in June 2026, with preliminary data from Kpler indicating an average of 2.66 million barrels per day (bpd) through mid-month and a projected full-month figure of 2.35 million bpd—surpassing the prior record of 2.2 million bpd set in May 2023. Russian oil has accounted for up to 53.5% of India's total crude imports this month, solidifying Moscow's position as New Delhi's top supplier. This surge coincides with disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies linked to the Hormuz crisis and U.S.-Iran tensions, which have reduced flows from Gulf producers and prompted Indian refiners to secure alternative discounted barrels. Kpler analyst Sumit Ritolia noted that imports remain strong due to competitive pricing and steady refinery demand, with expectations that Russian crude will continue as a key source even without extended U.S. waivers. Cross-verified reporting from The Hindu and Livemint confirms the Kpler-tracked jump from 1.91 million bpd in May, alongside increased purchases from the UAE, West Africa (Nigeria, Angola), Brazil, and Venezuela. This pattern reflects accelerating realignment in global energy trade: India, as the world's third-largest crude importer, has leveraged sanctions-era discounts since 2022 while diversifying amid multipolar pressures. Data discrepancies noted in some vessel-tracking (e.g., lower recent export figures) highlight the complexity of sanctions evasion and shadow fleet logistics, yet the overall trend underscores robust India-Russia energy ties underplayed in some Western coverage. Broader context includes U.S. policy flexibility on waivers and India's strategic pivot toward non-Western suppliers.