Most of the countries of the world are facing global energy crisis amid the ongoing war between America, Israel and Iran. Meanwhile, a Russian oil tanker going to China suddenly changed its route from the South China Sea and headed towards India. This has happened when India has increased the purchase of Russian crude amid the war and many tankers which were going to Chinese ports have now turned to India.

The change in the route of the Russian oil tanker is also considered important because recently America had given India permission to increase the purchase of Russian crude oil, so that the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid the war between Iran and America-Israel could be countered. Let us tell you that more than 20 percent of the world’s oil and LPG is supplied through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mangalore will reach on 21st March

Quoting news agency IANS reports, Aframax tanker Aqua Titan, loaded with crude oil, is scheduled to reach New Mangalore on March 21, which will contain crude oil from the Urals. The ship was initially destined for Rizhao, China, after loading oil from a Baltic Sea port in late January. However, according to reports, suddenly changing course in mid-March, the ship turned into the South China Sea and started heading towards India.

India increased purchase of crude oil from Russia

This development has come to light at a time when America is encouraging all the countries of the world to buy Russian crude oil. In such a situation, Indian refining companies have increased the purchase of crude oil and have purchased about 30 million barrels of Russian crude oil in just one week. This surge in purchases has been recorded with the aim of alleviating supply concerns following disruptions in oil supplies in the Middle East due to the conflict related to Iran.

7 ships changed route

This change is not limited to just one tanker. Data from analytics firm Vortexa shows that at least seven ships carrying Russian oil have diverted from China to India in recent weeks. According to reports, all major Indian refiners are once again buying Russian crude, making it seem that India is regaining its position as a major buyer for Moscow.

Many countries started buying oil from Russia again

Another tanker, Suezmax Juju N, is also headed towards India’s Sikka port and is expected to arrive on March 25. This ship is carrying CPC blend crude oil from Kazakhstan. Earlier, it had left from Novorossiysk located in the Black Sea region of Russia and was initially going to Rzhao, but in the beginning of March it changed its route. Meanwhile, due to the relaxation of sanctions, other countries including Japan and South Korea have also resumed purchasing Russian oil. Analysts say that this new demand from many buyers may lead to a rise in global oil prices in the coming weeks.

While announcing the US-India trade deal, US President Donald Trump had claimed that India will now stop buying oil from Russia. The reply of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has come out regarding this. The Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday (February 7, 2026) reiterated its old stand regarding the purchase of Russian oil. MEA said that India’s energy security remains the top priority of the government.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, ‘Diversifying India’s energy sources is the fundamental basis of our strategy. As far as India’s energy sources are concerned, the government has publicly stated on several occasions that ensuring energy security of 140 crore Indians is the government’s top priority.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, ‘Diversification of energy sources in line with market conditions and the changing international scenario is the mainstay of our strategy. All decisions of India have been taken from this perspective and will be taken in future also.

India again made its stand clear on Russian oil purchase

Actually, America wants India to completely stop buying oil from Russia. In this matter, India made it clear that the country’s energy needs are above any other consideration. This has been India’s consistent stance regarding the purchase of crude oil from Russia. America alleges that Russia uses the money it gets from oil for the Ukraine war. However, Russia has been vehemently denying this allegation.

MEA issued statement after White House’s claim

This statement of the Ministry of External Affairs comes after the White House’s claim that India has committed to stop purchasing oil from Russia directly or through any third country and buy oil from America. This statement was given by America at a time when it had announced the removal of 25 percent additional tariff as a penalty on India for purchasing Russian oil.

What did the Kremlin say about the ban on India’s purchase of Russian oil?

When the Kremlin was asked a question about this, it said that India is free to buy oil from wherever it wants. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia is well aware that it is not the only country supplying oil and petroleum products to India. He said that India has always been buying these products from other countries. Therefore we do not find anything new in this.

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