India’s crude oil imports rose 1.7% in September to 19.93 million metric tons month-on-month, their highest level since June, government data showed on Monday. India is the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer, making this data a key indicator of its oil demand. Every year, crude oil imports rose 6.1%, from 18.79 million tons in September 2024, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell shows. Meanwhile, imports of crude oil products rose about 20.9% every year to 4.40 million tons in September, while product exports fell 4.8% to 6.18 million tons. “Over the last few years, September crude imports tended to be lower compared to August. This year it seems geopolitical tensions and sanctions risks likely supported imports,” said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo.
