By Matt Underwood India’s top refiner quietly returns to Russian oil with shadowed supply route despite US sanctions. It’s almost comical, isn’t it? The narrative is that India’s top refiner is supposedly “quietly” slipping back into the arms of Russian oil, all while the US is throwing around sanctions. The reality? Not so subtle. We’re talking about supertankers, massive vessels that can’t exactly sneak around undetected. The “quietly” part feels more like a carefully chosen word to create the illusion of some clandestine operation, when in reality, it’s just business as usual, or at least, a return to it. It’s like a wink and a nod, with everyone pretending to be surprised.
India has made its position on US sanctions pretty clear, hasn’t it? They’re not exactly fans. They’ve stated their stance multiple times, yet there are still reports of them “stopping” oil imports from Russia, which really seems to be a misrepresentation of the situation. It’s a bit like being told not to buy from certain people, and then essentially saying, “Sure, I’ll just starve.” India, with its massive population and economic needs, needs fuel to keep things running. It’s a matter of basic economics and logistics, really.
And let’s be honest, the US isn’t exactly consistent in its application of these sanctions. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher. One minute they’re telling India not to buy from Venezuela or Iran, and the next, there’s a lack of clarity on whether buying Russian oil is acceptable. From an Indian perspective, why should they care about the US sanctions? Is it any wonder they’re going to buy whatever is cheapest?
The whole “shadowed supply route” angle feels a bit forced, doesn’t it? The implication is that something shady is going on. But what’s really happening is the global oil market at work. Russia has to sell their oil, and India, or any other country, will naturally demand a discount. Why wouldn’t they? It’s simply about getting the best price, especially when you are not particularly connected to the conflict.
The very concept of a “shadowed supply” route seems a bit rich when we consider that America might take, or may have considered taking, Venezuelan oil, and others. It feels as if the West is applying a double standard, which seems to fly in the face of what they claim. At the end of the day, it’s about economics and survival. For India, keeping the lights on and the factories running is paramount.
Now, some might suggest that Europe and America could help by providing cheaper oil from other sources. Maybe they could purchase from their “morally sound” partners like Saudi Arabia and then resell it to India at a lower price than Russia. The problem? That’s not a realistic fix for a massive economy. You can’t simply stop the chemical production lines that rely on petroleum. They need to keep running, and that requires a consistent supply.
The reality of these sanctions is that they are complex. It’s difficult to predict pricing or supply transparently, and that means that “kinetic sanctions” or any sanctions aren’t really going to work. The fact is, India needs to purchase oil, and this is a war that is primarily a European one.
The “quietly” part also suggests the refiner is trying to be discreet in their business dealings. The point is to make money, and there is a high likelihood that the Russian crude is an advantageous option. As long as it is legal, this is not a surprise.
The conflict doesn’t necessarily require countries to pick a side. It is also interesting to note that Russia has supported smaller countries against China’s harassment. It is natural that nations like India will take the best course for their own national interests.
Some might argue that India’s actions could be seen as a betrayal of Western values. But from India’s perspective, they’re navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. This is not about being anti-West, it’s about putting their own needs first. At the end of the day, India’s priority is its own economic well-being and security.