The oil trade between Russia and India has entered a new phase, marked by the dominance of a few large trading firms and the exit of smaller intermediaries. This transformation is a reflection of broader geopolitical and economic trends, including the impact of Western sanctions on Russia and the evolving nature of global energy markets. For India, this shift offers both opportunities and challenges as it navigates its energy security goals in an increasingly complex global environment.
Until recently, the Russian oil trade with India was characterised by a proliferation of middlemen, drawn by lucrative margins and the urgency of Russian producers to reroute supplies away from Western markets. However, rising funding costs in Russia and restricted access to Western financial systems have pushed many smaller players out. With fewer intermediaries, the trade has become more streamlined, but also more concentrated, with only a handful of dominant players managing the majority of transactions. For Indian refiners, particularly private players, this consolidation brings some advantages.
A smaller pool of traders can lead to greater consistency in supply chains and potentially reduce logistical complexities. Moreover, Russian oil continues to offer a price advantage over alternatives from the United States or West Asia, even as discounts on Russian crude have narrowed. This cost-effectiveness remains critical for Indian refiners aiming to balance profitability with competitive pricing for domestic markets. However, this concentration also raises concerns. A trade dominated by a few firms could expose Indian buyers to supply chain vulnerabilities. Any disruption ~ whether due to financial pressures on these firms or heightened Western sanctions ~ could have an outsized impact on the availability of Russian crude.
The ability of Russian producers to adapt, potentially reverting to multiple middlemen to skirt sanctions, adds another layer of uncertainty. This shift also opens avenues for India to renegotiate its long-term energy partnerships. By leveraging its position as a significant buyer of Russian oil, India can seek favorable terms that include stable pricing mechanisms and strategic investments in refining infrastructure. Such efforts would not only enhance energy security but also shield the economy from volatility in global oil markets. At a broader level, the evolving Russian oil trade underscores the resilience of global energy markets. Despite efforts by Western nations to restrict Russia’s oil revenues, the country has maintained robust export volumes, with India emerging as a key market. This resilience highlights the limitations of sanctions in a world where demand for affordable energy often outweighs geopolitical considerations.
For India, the priority must be to safeguard its energy security while balancing its diplomatic engagements. The government and refiners should continue to diversify their sources of crude to reduce over-reliance on any single supplier. At the same time, India must strengthen its financial and logistical mechanisms to withstand potential market disruptions. India’s ability to navigate these changes will determine not just its energy future but also its role in shaping a more stable and secure global energy order