India has sharply increased its purchases of Russian oil, triggering a dramatic shift in global shipping routes as several tankers originally bound for China have changed course mid-journey and are now heading towards Indian ports.

One such vessel, the Aframax tanker Aqua Titan, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore on March 21 carrying Urals crude. The ship had initially set its destination as Rizhao in China after loading oil from a Baltic Sea port in late January. However, in a sudden mid-March move, it altered its route in the South China Sea and began sailing towards India, highlighting the rapid shift in trade dynamics.

This surge in imports comes shortly after the United States allowed India to temporarily increase its purchases of Russian oil. Taking advantage of the window, Indian refiners moved quickly, buying nearly 30 million barrels of crude in just one week.

The aggressive buying spree is largely aimed at securing energy supplies after disruptions in the Middle East due to the ongoing tensions involving Iran. With supply uncertainties rising, India appears to be strengthening its energy security by turning once again to discounted Russian crude.

The shift is not limited to a single tanker. Data from analytics firm Vortexa shows that at least seven ships carrying Russian oil have diverted from China to India in recent weeks. This indicates a broader trend of India regaining its position as a major buyer of Russian oil.

Another tanker, the Suezmax vessel Zouzou N., is also en route to India’s Sikka port and is expected to arrive on March 25. It is carrying CPC Blend crude from Kazakhstan. The ship had earlier departed from Novorossiysk in Russia’s Black Sea region and was initially headed for Rizhao before changing direction earlier this month.

With all major Indian refiners actively seeking Russian crude again, the country is quickly re-emerging as a key market for Moscow’s oil exports.

The easing of restrictions has also opened the door for other countries like Japan and South Korea to resume imports of Russian oil. Analysts warn that this renewed global demand, combined with ongoing geopolitical tensions, could push international oil prices higher in the coming weeks.

As tankers continue to reroute and demand surges, the global oil market is entering a volatile phase, with India playing a central role in reshaping trade flows.