India Finds Assurance in Oil Supply as Saudi Arabia and Russia Step Up Amid Hormuz Uncertainty

New Delhi, June 23 — In the face of growing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz — a vital global oil artery — India is finding comfort in the steady hands of its strategic energy allies: Saudi Arabia and Russia.

With Iran’s Parliament recently approving a possible closure of the strait following U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear sites, the world is watching closely. For India, which brings in over 35% of its crude and 42% of its LNG through Hormuz, the risk isn’t just geopolitical — it’s practical. A shutdown could delay shipments, raise freight costs, and tighten global oil supplies.

But there’s a silver lining.

Thanks to forward-thinking strategies and long-term relationships, India is far more prepared than it once was. Saudi Arabia, a key oil supplier accounting for nearly a fifth of India’s imports, has the flexibility to reroute shipments through the Red Sea using its Petroline-Yanbu corridor. While this alternative might involve slightly higher shipping costs and some logistical headaches, it ensures continuity — something that’s invaluable in uncertain times.

“India’s approach to crude sourcing has come a long way,” notes a recent report by Yes Securities. “It’s no longer overly dependent on the Middle East. Russian supplies alone — clocking 2.2 million barrels per day this June — now surpass the combined imports from Gulf nations.”

India, which imports about 5.5 million barrels of oil daily, is now leaning into a more diverse supply chain. Crude from the U.S., West Africa, Brazil, and Latin America travels routes that completely avoid Hormuz, offering alternatives through the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, and the Pacific.

Experts believe a complete shutdown of Hormuz remains highly unlikely. Iran, after all, exports most of its own oil through the same strait and would risk alienating major partners like China and inviting military retaliation if it blocked the passage entirely.

Still, short-term disruptions remain possible — and with them, price fluctuations and shipping delays. The number of empty tankers heading to the Gulf has already dipped, signaling growing caution in the global market.

But for now, India is breathing a little easier, knowing that both Saudi Arabia and Russia are actively ensuring that its energy needs stay protected — no matter what storm might be brewing in the Persian Gulf.