Crude oil is the backbone of India’s energy needs. It keeps vehicles running, powers factories, and supports many industries. But India doesn’t produce enough oil by itself, so it depends a lot on other countries to meet its growing demand.

With India’s economy growing fast, the need for oil keeps rising too. This raises a simple question: where does all this oil come from, and how is that changing in 2025?

Over the years, shifting politics, pricing changes, and new partnerships have reshaped India’s list of top crude oil suppliers. While traditional sources like the Middle East remain crucial, other players like Russia and the U.S. are becoming more influential. This blog takes a closer look at the countries fueling India’s crude oil needs, what the top importers are, and which countries import most of the crude oil.

India’s Energy Landscape in 2025

India’s energy needs aren’t just rising they’re racing ahead. With the economy pushing toward a $5 trillion goal and industries spreading beyond big cities, the demand for energy is growing fast. Clean energy is getting a lot of buzz these days, but for now, crude oil is still doing most of the heavy lifting.

Here’s the simple picture:

• Energy demand is expected to keep climbing by about 4% to 5% each year, which is actually higher than the world average.

• Crude oil makes up around 30% of India’s total energy use.

• In 2025, India is set to import between 4.7 and 5 million barrels of oil every single day.

• Over 85% of this oil comes from other countries.

That last point says a lot. India depends heavily on imported oil, which brings risks. Things like global price swings, political tensions, and currency changes can all shake up the economy.

But India isn’t just waiting around. The country is building up its oil reserves and discovering more different energy sources. Even so, the reality is clear: crude oil is still a major part of the energy game, even as new options gradually come into effect. India’s huge demand for diesel and petrol is mostly met through crude oil imports, which fuel the country’s transport systems from highways to city streets.

Crude Oil Import of India by Country

India’s crude oil strategy is all about long-term partnerships, rebuilding old ties, and smart economic choices. Even though global politics have shifted a lot and the energy market is still difficult, India aims to keep its core list of trusted suppliers steady. It’s not just about getting the best price; factors like reliability, political risks, and how easy it is to transport the oil also matter. Let’s take a closer look at the key countries from where India imports most of the oil.

1) Iraq

Iraq continues to be India’s top crude oil supplier, making up about 20% to 23% of total imports. This partnership has lasted for decades, and what keeps it strong is Iraq’s ability to supply Basrah crude at prices that make sense for India.

Even though production sometimes hits bumps—like during periods of internal unrest—Iraq has mostly kept its oil flowing steadily. Its location, not too far from India, along with long-standing trade ties, keeps Iraq front and center in India’s energy plans even as the global oil market stays unpredictable in the background.

2) Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia holds on to a major share too, with about 16% to 18% of India’s crude imports this year. Sure, Iraq and Russia have gained some ground lately, but Saudi’s importance isn’t fading anytime soon.

As a founding OPEC member, Saudi Arabia’s oil production decisions, like voluntary output cuts under OPEC+, have a huge impact on global oil prices. For India, the bond with Saudi Arabia is deeper than just buying oil. It also involves long-term deals, strong diplomatic ties, and growing investments in Indian refineries by Saudi Aramco.

3) Russia

Russia’s share of India’s crude imports has shot up since 2022. In 2025, it’s holding steady at 18% to 20%—a massive jump from the tiny share (less than 2%) it had just a few years back. So, what changed? The Ukraine war and Western sanctions flipped the script.

With fewer European customers, Russia started offering discounted Urals-grade crude, and India took on the chance. Even though the oil has to travel longer distances and payments can get complicated, the low prices made it worthwhile. Still, relying more on Russia comes with risks especially as Western countries tighten sanctions and put new restrictions on shipping.

4) United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE holds a small but solid share of about 8% to 10% of India’s crude oil imports. It might not grab as much attention as Russia or Saudi Arabia, but it plays a key role in India’s push to diversify its energy sources.

Thanks to shorter shipping distances and a spotless logistics record, the UAE is a favorite, especially for refineries along India’s west coast. Ongoing energy agreements between the two countries keep trade strong, with no signs of slowing down.

5) United States

The U.S. isn’t a major supplier by volume—expected to cover around 6% to 7% of India’s crude imports in 2025—but its role is growing in importance. India mainly buys lighter, sweeter crude from the U.S. to mix with the heavier grades it gets from the Middle East.

This move fits well with India’s strategy to avoid depending too much on one region. Plus, American crude comes with stable pricing and a transparent system, acting as a useful backup when global oil markets get tight. Refineries in India often choose U.S. crude because it helps produce higher-quality petrol. It also mixes well with heavier crude grades during processing, making it a smart choice for efficient refining.

6) Nigeria and Other West African Countries

Nigeria, along with a few other West African countries like Angola, makes up about 5% to 6% of India’s crude oil imports. Their oil gives India more choices, especially when supply from the Middle East hits roadblocks.

That said, there are challenges. Political instability, aging infrastructure, and longer shipping times make West African crude a bit less attractive. Still, it’s like having an insurance policy, it may not be the first pick, but it plays an important part in keeping India’s oil supply balanced.

Top Crude Oil Importers in India

Every shipment of crude oil that lands at India’s ports is backed by a network of big players working behind the scenes. These companies handle everything from negotiating deals with global suppliers to refining the oil into fuels that power the country.

In 2025, India’s crude oil imports are mostly managed by a mix of government-owned giants and major private refiners. Each one plays a unique role in keeping India’s energy system moving strong.

• Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)

• Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL)

• Nayara Energy

Top 10 Crude Oil Importing Countries

Crude oil is the world’s most traded commodity, and many major nations rely heavily on it to power their industries, transport systems, and overall economies. In 2025, global energy trends are still shifting—driven by changing supply chains, evolving partnerships, and new patterns of consumption. While the Middle East continues to be the main supplier, these countries are the top buyers, bringing in huge volumes of crude oil to meet their domestic needs.

Here’s a look at the top 10 crude oil importers in 2025, ranked by volume:

1. China

China remains the world’s biggest crude oil importer, bringing in over 10 million barrels per day to keep its massive industrial engine and growing transportation sector running. Most of its oil comes from the Middle East, Russia, and West Africa.

2. India

Holding the second spot, India imports around 4.7 to 5 million barrels per day, meeting more than 85% of its oil needs through imports. Key suppliers include Iraq, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

3. United States

Even though the U.S. is a top oil producer, it still imports about 6 million barrels per day, mainly for specific types of crude needed for blending and refining. Canada is its biggest supplier, thanks to close proximity and strong pipeline connections.

4. Japan

With very little domestic oil production, Japan imports nearly all its crude—about 3 million barrels per day—mostly from Middle Eastern countries.

5. South Korea

South Korea brings in around 2.7 million barrels per day, following a smart strategy that sources oil from the Middle East, the U.S., and parts of Southeast Asia.

6. Germany

Even as Germany moves toward renewable energy, it still imports between 1.8 and 2 million barrels per day. After cutting back on Russian oil, Germany now leans more on Norway and the U.S. for its supplies.

7. Netherlands

As a major oil hub in Europe, the Netherlands imports large amounts of crude—not just for local use, but also to refine and re-export to other countries.

8. Italy

With a well-developed refining industry, Italy imports around 1.4 million barrels per day. Most of its oil comes from North Africa, the Middle East, and West Africa.

9. France

France brings in about 1.3 million barrels per day, relying on supply deals with OPEC producers and West African countries.

10. Spain

Rounding out the top ten, Spain imports around 1.2 million barrels per day. Its suppliers include Nigeria, Algeria, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

We often think of crude oil as just barrels and pipelines, but really, it’s about the movement off economies, alliances, and long-term strategies. For India, that movement is constant and growing more complex every year. As global supply chains shift and geopolitical forces redraw trade routes, India isn’t just reacting; it’s recalibrating its approach.

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