India preferred to import oil from 17,700 km away, just not from Russia 0 13

India has previously purchased a batch of Ecuadorian oil for the first time as part of efforts to diversify its energy supply sources.

A batch of 2 million barrels of Ecuadorian Oriente oil was acquired through a tender by the largest oil and gas corporation Indian Oil Corp, with delivery scheduled by the end of March. This strategically important purchase was made to diversify hydrocarbon imports amid U.S. and European Union sanctions on Russian oil supplies to India, Reuters reports.

Shortly before this, Indian Oil, which conducts most of its oil purchases from Russia and the Middle East, acquired its first batches of fuel from Colombia and Guyana. The delivery route spans 11,000 nautical miles (17,700 km).

Earlier, India's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh stated that New Delhi is not concerned about a shortage of oil due to emerging issues, but anticipates difficulties for importers who will have to choose longer routes, which means increased freight and insurance rates.

"If more oil enters the market and if the global situation stabilizes, then we can hope for the best," the head of the ministry said.

It is worth noting that the U.S. imposed additional tariffs of 25% on India regarding its purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products. By the end of August, U.S. tariffs on imports of Indian goods and services were raised to 50%. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described these actions as unfair.