India Seeks Alternative to Russian Oil

India’s largest oil refiner Reliance Industries, owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has begun looking for alternatives to Russian oil after its policies came under scrutiny over new EU restrictions on diesel imports.

Bloomberg reports this.

Reliance made a rare purchase of Murban crude from Abu Dhabi late last week, although it typically buys cheaper grades such as Russian Urals and heavier grades from the Middle East. The purchase, coming just after the announcement of a new round of EU sanctions, signals a possible change in the company’s purchasing strategy.

Reliance is considering supply diversification options to reduce dependence on Russia, which remains the largest supplier of oil to the Indian refinery as of 2025.

Previously, Reliance and other Indian refiners benefited from lower prices for Russian oil after Europe refused to import it amid Russia’s war in Ukraine. Cheap oil was processed into diesel sold to European customers, with almost half of Reliance’s imports in 2025 coming from Russia and 20% of its output exported to the EU.

The company now finds itself under pressure from a new EU sanctions package that comes into force on January 21 next year.

Despite the initial signs of a search for alternatives, a sharp refusal of Russian oil is not expected. At the same time, India is criticizing the new EU sanctions. Foreign Minister Vikram Misri said that a “balance” should be maintained when introducing secondary sanctions.

Recall that the oil tanker Talara, which was supposed to deliver diesel fuel to Africa, unexpectedly left the Indian port of Vadinar without cargo . The vessel was chartered by the energy company BP, and the diesel with a very low sulfur content was supposed to come from the Nayara Energy plant, a company with Russian ties.

As reported, EU ambassadors have approved a new, eighteenth package of sanctions against Russia. This package focuses on reducing the maximum price for Russian oil, as well as adding to the sanctions list more than a hundred vessels that are part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation – ships that help to bypass international restrictions.

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