February crude oil imports from Russia edged up from January trade

India’s import of Russian oil edged up in February over January, reversing declines seen in the past two months, data from industry sources showed on Wednesday, as refiners received some parcels of Russian light sweet Sokol grade.

The world’s third biggest oil importer and consumer, India has been gorging on Russian oil since the West imposed sanctions on Moscow for its invasion on Ukraine in February 2022.

The South Asian nation emerged as the top buyer of Russian oil in 2023 after some entities and nations retreated from purchases in December 2022.