China has moved to secure a fresh wave of Russian crude shipments, stepping into a space that India has begun to vacate, Gazeta Express reports. Refineries on the mainland have arranged at least 15 consignments from Russian ports that traditionally supply the Indian market, reflecting a shift in buying patterns as geopolitical pressures reshape global energy flows.

According to shipping and cargo tracking company Kpler, state-owned and large privately run refiners in China had, by last week, acquired 13 cargoes of Western Russian crude for October delivery and a further two for November. Each consignment contains between 700,000 and 1mn barrels, loaded from Russia’s Arctic and Black Sea ports. These routes, given their distance, have typically been more closely aligned with Indian demand than with China’s.

The move comes after a slowdown in India’s appetite for Russian oil. Analysts say demand has softened since the United States imposed new tariffs on New Delhi following its continued dealings with Moscow. Although India had been one of Russia’s most significant customers after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, buying energy supplies that Western nations largely turned away from, its position is now under closer scrutiny.

At its peak, Russia was India’s largest single supplier of crude, commanding a 36% share of the market. In 2024 alone, New Delhi imported $53bn worth of oil and crude products from Russia. Beijing, however, purchased even more, with $62.6bn worth of Russian oil flowing into China last year, making up 13.5% of the country’s imports.

Industry observers note that the redirection of cargoes reflects not only China’s continued willingness to absorb Russian energy despite sanctions but also India’s growing caution. Some Indian refiners do remain active in the Russian market, however, and officials in New Delhi have resisted suggestions that purchases are winding down entirely. Yet the volume of shipments appears to have shifted, at least temporarily, towards Chinese buyers.

Debate continues over the extent of India’s current imports. Supporters of the government in New Delhi argue that energy security requires diversification and that Russian crude remains an important part of the mix, particularly given its discounted price compared with Middle Eastern supplies. Critics, however, point to declining figures in recent months and the additional costs associated with circumventing sanctions as evidence that India’s reliance on Russia is diminishing.

For China, the new purchases signal a readiness to capitalise on gaps left by India. The 15 secured consignments alone amount to more than 10mn barrels, enough to cover significant portions of refinery demand during the final quarter of the year. Analysts suggest that this pivot demonstrates China’s determination to reinforce its energy resilience, particularly at a time when global markets remain volatile and OPEC+ production strategies continue to shape pricing.

But while India now appears to be re-evaluating the balance, China shows no such hesitation, reinforcing its position as Russia’s most reliable energy partner.