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Indian refiners have sharply increased purchases of US crude this month, taking advantage of competitive pricing that could also help narrow the country’s trade deficit with the United States, trade sources said.

State-run Indian Oil Corp (IOC) bought 5 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for October–November delivery through a tender. Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) purchased 2 million barrels, while private refiner Reliance Industries acquired another 2 million barrels from trader Vitol, the sources added.

The buying spree comes as Asian refiners tap an arbitrage window that has opened for US crude shipments. India, in particular, is facing increased pressure to diversify supply after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50 per cent, citing New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.

European traders Gunvor and Equinor sold 2 million barrels each to IOC, while Mercuria supplied another 1 million barrels, according to the sources.

Separately, BPCL has made its first purchase of Nigerian Utapate crude, part of its strategy to expand its crude slate with new grades.