India's Russian oil imports at record high in June amid Hormuz closure

📌 Summary:

• India's crude oil imports from Russia in June are set to touch an all-time high, as it steps up Russian purchases to offset West Asian barrels lost to the regional war and Strait of Hormuz disruptions
• In June so far Russian oil averaged 2.6 million barrels per day (bpd) — about 53.5% of India's total crude imports; full-month Russian imports are expected to exceed 2.35 million bpd, the highest ever (previous high 2.2 million bpd in May 2023)
• Despite the US allowing its sanctions waiver on Russian oil purchases to lapse for now, industry experts expect Russian crude to remain the mainstay of Indian refiners' crude diet in the foreseeable future
• Data is from commodity analytics firm Kpler (preliminary vessel-tracking data)
• Reflects India's energy-security strategy of diversifying and discount-seeking amid geopolitical supply shocks, while navigating US sanctions risk

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Economy/Energy Security — crude import dependence, geopolitical supply shocks (West Asia/Hormuz), Russia oil trade and the sanctions dimension of India's strategic autonomy.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• June Russian oil ~2.6 million bpd (~53.5% of India's crude imports); full month expected >2.35 million bpd (record)
• Previous record: 2.2 million bpd (May 2023)
• Strait of Hormuz: world's most strategic oil chokepoint
• Source: Kpler (vessel-tracking analytics)

🔑 Key Term: Strait of Hormuz — chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, through which roughly a fifth of global oil supply transits.