In response to global geopolitical conflicts and persistent shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, India is actively expanding its crude oil procurement strategy by significantly increasing imports from Latin America. Ship-tracking data from Kpler indicates that Venezuelan crude imports surged to approximately 444,000 barrels per day in August 2026, positioning Venezuela as India’s fourth-largest oil supplier. While Russia continues to lead as the primary crude supplier, providing nearly 2 million barrels per day, Middle Eastern crude imports dropped from 43% to 30% of India’s import basket. Although Latin American and Atlantic Basin barrels help secure physical supply, longer voyages increase freight and insurance costs, keeping import bills high. To build long-term energy resilience, India is simultaneously focusing on boosting domestic exploration, strengthening strategic petroleum reserves (SPR), and accelerating the adoption of natural gas, biofuels, and electric vehicles.