# India oil import bill surges 48% to $75 bn on higher prices

2026-09-22T01:41:52+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

India's oil import bill jumped 48% to $74.8 billion in April-August 2026, driven by a surge in global crude prices amid the West Asia conflict, Moneycontrol reports. The average price of the Indian crude basket hit $113.9 a barrel in September, up from $69.61 a year ago. Gulf crude supplies to India rebounded to 1.52 million barrels per day in September from 1.03 mb/d in June, according to Kpler data cited by NDTV Profit. Sellers have absorbed transit risks to boost volumes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India will source oil from wherever it is economically viable, adding that shifting away from Russian crude could push up global prices, and refinery configuration also limits sourcing options, as per Moneycontrol.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The critical framing from Moneycontrol leads with the $74.8 billion import bill and risks to India's economy and fiscal deficit, while the pro-government framing from the same outlet leads with FM Sitharaman's justification for flexible sourcing, including the warning that shunning Russian crude could raise global prices. NDTV Profit's neutral data on Gulf supply rebound is omitted in both. The balanced reading is that India's import bill has surged sharply, but the government insists it has no choice given refinery limits and global realities. The next data point is the September import bill, likely to be even higher at current prices.

## Coverage

- ndtvprofit.com (neutral report) <https://www.ndtvprofit.com/markets/exclusive-gulf-oil-supplies-to-india-surge-to-1-52-mb-d-as-sellers-absorb-transit-risks-12075786#publisher=newsstand>
  Reports supply rebound data with no framing on government or policy.
- moneycontrol.com (pro government) <https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/india-s-oil-import-bill-surges-48-in-april-august-to-75-billion-on-higher-prices-14034431.html>
  Quotes FM Sitharaman's rationale for flexible sourcing, downplays criticism.
- moneycontrol.com (pro government) <https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/economy/india-will-source-oil-from-wherever-it-is-available-economically-viable-fm-sitharaman-14035744.html>
  Quotes FM Sitharaman's rationale for flexible sourcing, downplays criticism.

Tags: crude oil, Gulf, India, Moneycontrol, NDTV Profit, OPEC+
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