Saudi crude imports narrow gap with Russia, set to become biggest supplier
Times of India
by ATUL MATHURFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Saudi Arabia has overtaken Russia as India's largest crude oil supplier, marking a significant shift in the energy trade landscape. In February 2023, Saudi imports reached nearly 1-1.1 million barrels per day (bpd), hitting their highest levels since November 2019. This surge temporarily pushed Saudi ahead of Russia, which had previously held the top spot. According to data from Kpler, a global analytics firm, Saudi shipments peaked at 1.3 million bpd on February 20, surpassing Russia's supplies of around 1.1 mbd.
The rise in Saudi imports has narrowed the gap between India and Russia, which had widened after India increased its purchases from Russia following the Ukraine invasion. While Russia remains a major supplier, with shipments expected to stay strong at 1-1.2 mbd in February, analysts predict a potential decline in the coming months. Sumit Ritolia of Kpler explained that Russian imports could drop to 0.8-1 mbd per day by March and further decline later in the year. This shift aligns with India's strategy to diversify its oil suppliers amid geopolitical tensions.
The move reflects India's efforts to balance its energy needs while navigating
Verticals
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026