India to Import Crude Oil from Cheapest, Best-Quality Non-Sanctioned Sources
Formal / news style Government tells parliamentary panel that energy security will be guided by price, quality and compliance with global sanctions. New Delhi adopts a pragmatic sourcing strategy to shield its economy from volatile global oil markets. Officials stress flexibility in procurement as geopolitical pressures reshape crude supply chains. Analytical / serious India balances energy security and diplomacy by turning to cost-effective, non-sanctioned oil suppliers. *A market-driven approach replaces fixed supplier dependence
India will continue to prioritise importing crude oil from the most cost-effective and highest-quality sources that are not subject to international sanctions, government officials told a parliamentary committee this week — a strategy reflecting New Delhi’s efforts to balance energy security, economic priorities and geopolitical pressures in an increasingly volatile global oil market.
The Economic Times
In a closed session before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, senior officials from the ministries of External Affairs and Commerce outlined the government’s posture on crude oil procurement, emphasising that Indian oil companies will source crude where it is cheapest and of desirable quality — while taking into account geopolitical conditions and avoiding suppliers under sanctions.
The disclosure comes as India — the world’s third-largest oil importer and consumer — navigates divergent pressures from major trading partners, sanctions regimes, and strategic relationships with producing nations in the Middle East, Africa, South America and beyond.
The Economic Times
A Pragmatic Sourcing Strategy
Officials clarified that the policy does not lock India into any single supplier, but rather allows flexibility in procurement so long as the oil meets critical parameters of price competitiveness and quality. This approach will factor in evolving geopolitical conditions, including sanctions imposed by Western countries that affect certain exporters and suppliers, without directly contravening United Nations-mandated restrictions.
The Economic Times
“India’s overarching priority is energy security — ensuring consistent, reliable and affordable crude oil supplies for our economy,” an official briefing note told MPs, underscoring that the strategy aims to keep energy costs low while respecting global regulatory frameworks.
The policy was described as forward-looking and commercially driven, rather than ideologically anchored to particular source countries. Indian refiners, including state-owned and private entities, will be encouraged to pursue competitive tendering and diversify supply portfolios to reduce exposure to potential supply shocks.
The Economic Times
Russia, Discounts, and Diverse Options
For much of the past few years, India has been a major buyer of Russian crude oil, taking advantage of steep discounts following Western sanctions on Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine. At times, Russia accounted for 40-45 % of New Delhi’s crude imports, with Urals crude offered at significant discounts compared with global benchmarks.
Outlook India
However, recent developments have complicated that dynamic. New U.S. sanctions on Russia’s largest oil producers and export infrastructure have begun to reduce direct imports of Russian crude to India, and major Indian refiners have signalled a reduction in purchases that would arrive after sanctions take effect during 2026.
At the same time, some refiners have resumed buying non-sanctioned Russian barrels from alternative sellers and traders, illustrating how the market can adapt when direct sourcing from sanctioned entities becomes untenable.
Trade Deals and Geopolitical Balance
The discussions before the parliamentary panel also touched on ongoing trade negotiations with the United States and the European Union, including a potential interim agreement with Washington that could have implications for energy trade and tariff arrangements.
The Economic Times
Officials emphasised that energy import strategy will continue to be aligned with India’s broader foreign policy objectives, which include strengthening economic ties with partners while maintaining sovereign decision-making on energy procurement.
The Economic Times
Market Realities and Refinery Considerations
Indian refiners have already begun adjusting supply plans in response to shifting market conditions. Some are exploring greater purchases from the Middle East and African producers, while others have taken steps to limit future Russian imports tied to sanctioned supply chains.
Zonebourse
For example, private sector giant Reliance Industries reportedly slashed its intake of Russian crude and prioritised non-sanctioned sources to ensure compliance with global sanctions regimes and maintain access to key export markets, such as the European Union, which implemented bans on products derived from Russian oil.
Indian refineries are also recalibrating feedstock mixes based on changing crude price dynamics, quality specifications and logistical efficiencies as global producers adjust output.
The Economic Times
Looking Ahead
With crude oil prices still sensitive to geopolitical developments, supply disruptions and OPEC+ production decisions, India’s multidimensional sourcing strategy aims to protect its economy from undue price volatility while ensuring energy imports remain consistent, cost-effective and free from sanction risks.
As the government continues to refine procurement guidelines and navigate international trade landscapes, Indian policymakers assert that these measures will help safeguard the nation’s energy security in an uncertain global energy environment.
About the Creator
Fiaz Ahmed
I am Fiaz Ahmed. I am a passionate writer. I love covering trending topics and breaking news. With a sharp eye for what’s happening around the world, and crafts timely and engaging stories that keep readers informed and updated.
Keep reading
More stories from Fiaz Ahmed and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
Snakes on a Train: How King Cobras Are Spreading Across India Thanks to the World’s Busiest Railway Network
A surprising new study suggests that some of India’s most infamous reptiles — king cobras — may be inadvertently using the nation’s vast and busy railway network to travel far beyond their natural habitats, raising fresh questions about wildlife movement, human-animal interactions, and rail infrastructure’s unintended ecological impacts. The research, published in the scientific journal Biotropica, compiled 22 years of king cobra rescue records and verified sightings from 2002 to 2024 across the western Indian state of Goa — a region nestled between coastal plains and the biodiverse Western Ghats. By mapping these records against ecological models of the species’ preferred environment, scientists uncovered an unexpected pattern. Unusual Cobra Occurrences Along Railway Corridors King cobras (Ophiophagus kaalinga), among the world’s longest venomous snakes, are typically associated with dense forests, riverine ecosystems, and undisturbed inland regions. Yet researchers identified five locations near major railway corridors where cobras were spotted in settings far less suitable than their natural forest home. One notable example involved a king cobra being found close to Chandor railway station, sheltering near stored rails and concrete structures — an environment wholly unsuited to a forest-dwelling predator. Others were recorded near tracks at Vasco da Gama, Loliem, Patnem, and Palolem — all locations associated with heavy train traffic rather than lush habitat. Scientists observed that these “outlier” records all occurred within a few hundred metres of railway infrastructure, prompting a novel hypothesis: trains may be acting as inadvertent transport vectors, moving king cobras from their native forests into unsuitable or marginal habitats where survival prospects are uncertain. au.news.yahoo.com Trains as Unintended Ecological Highways India’s railways are the world’s busiest by passenger volume, with freight and goods lines crisscrossing hundreds of kilometres of landscape, including biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats. The study proposes that snakes — while not intentionally seeking out train travel — might board freight wagons or find shelter in rail yards while pursuing prey such as rodents or other snakes. Once aboard, a train’s high speed and extensive reach could carry an individual snake dozens of kilometres away from its typical range, depositing it in terrain ill-suited to its ecological needs. This passive movement mechanism — distinct from active dispersal — represents a novel aspect of how human infrastructure can shape wildlife distributions, researchers say. The phenomenon echoes broader concerns in conservation science about linear structures (like roads and railways) fragmenting habitats — but here, the unintended consequence appears to be connecting distant regions instead of dividing them. Trains may serve as a kind of “high-speed conduit,” moving animals across ecological barriers that would otherwise limit their movements. Drivers and Risks Several factors may make railway environments attractive — or at least accessible — to king cobras. Freight yards and rail sidings often host abundant rodents, a staple in cobra diets, while dark crevices and stacks of materials provide shelter. In some instances, cobras may pursue these cues at night and inadvertently end up aboard a passing train. However, arriving in an unfamiliar or unsuitable habitat can be perilous for the snakes. Outside their core ecological range, they face heat stress, limited prey, and increased encounters with humans, potentially heightening conflict and risk. Likewise, train passengers and railway workers may be startled or endangered by unexpected snake encounters, given the king cobra’s potent venom and reputational fearfulness. Researchers note that improved tracking — such as camera traps at rail hubs, genetic studies, and targeted monitoring — could help clarify the scale of this dispersal mechanism and whether it truly represents a significant expansion of the species’ range. At present, the pattern remains a working hypothesis supported by rescue data and spatial analysis. Broader Implications and Future Monitoring This research highlights an under-appreciated dimension of human-wildlife interaction: that infrastructure designed for efficient movement of people and goods can inadvertently influence the distribution of wildlife — in this case, a species both ecologically important and symbolically powerful in India. As climate change, habitat loss, and expanding transport networks continue to reshape ecological landscapes, scientists warn that such unintended consequences may become more common. Understanding the intersection of wildlife behavior and human systems — and the risks and opportunities it presents — could prove crucial for both conservation and public safety.
By Fiaz Ahmed 3 days ago in The Swamp
Why Black History Matters in America?
The United States of America is celebrating their 250th anniversary in 2026. I'm proud to be an American and as someone who was born here, I wouldn't imagine myself living anywhere else. This is a country where opportunities are possible. Where anyone can be successful in anything they desire to do. Equality, community, and togetherness are the backbones of what America is and should be about. However, we have an administration who wants to erase and disregard those who have made positive, meaningful impacts in our country, specifically Black figures, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou. President Trump and his administration have been constantly complaining and fighting against what they call the "Woke agenda". They use this excuse as a distraction from other issues they refuse to address, such as the high cost of living, climate change, and inflation. That equality is dividing America, when in reality, it's bringing us together. Being woke is not tied to a specific political party. No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, you can still care about other people and their plights. Compassion and empathy for others isn't tied to a political party, either. We were taught as children to treat others the way we want to be treated and not judge others because they're different from us. Caring about others isn't a personal attack on your beliefs. It doesn't make you any less of a person. People who are easily offended over African American figures, past or present, or anything related to it, are grasping at straws. Current and future generations need to know who people like Harriet Tubman and Shirley Chisholm were, especially in the classroom. Black History is part of American History. It should be recognized, not hidden or forgotten. Besides, you can't shield children from everything, just because your feelings are easily hurt.
By Mark Wesley Pritchard 13 days ago in The Swamp
‘We’re Being Turned Into an Energy Colony’: Argentina’s Nuclear Plan Faces Backlash Over US Interests
Argentina’s renewed push to expand its nuclear energy program has ignited a heated national debate — not just about power generation, but about sovereignty, foreign influence, and the country’s long-term economic future. Critics argue that recent agreements and negotiations tied to international partnerships, particularly those involving US interests, risk turning Argentina into what some activists describe as an “energy colony.” Supporters, however, see the nuclear plan as a pragmatic path toward energy independence, industrial revival, and climate resilience.
By Ayesha Lashari4 days ago in The Swamp
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.