India increases imports of Venezuelan crude oil

India has significantly increased its imports of Venezuelan crude oil during August 2026, as the nation seeks to diversify its energy sources amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. According to data from the shipping analysis firm Kpler, Venezuela has become India's fourth-largest crude supplier, exporting approximately 444,000 barrels per day (bpd) to the Asian nation.

This surge in Venezuelan shipments has surpassed deliveries from other traditional suppliers, including the United States at 153,000 bpd and Iraq at 118,000 bpd. While Venezuela's role has grown steadily since shipments resumed in April, Russia remains India's primary oil provider, with imports nearing 2 million bpd this month.

Sumit Ritolia, senior modeling manager at Kpler, noted that India's energy strategy focuses on multiple fronts: increasing domestic production, diversifying foreign suppliers and transport routes, building strategic inventories, and accelerating the development of alternatives such as biofuels, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.