The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) on Saturday (April 4, 2026) dismissed reports that an Iranian crude oil tanker heading to India was diverted to China over payment issues, stating that Indian refiners are, in fact, securing Iranian crude oil. “Amid Middle-East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to rumours being circulated,” the Ministry said in a social media post. India imports crude oil from over 40 countries, the post added. Indian refiners have been looking for opportunities to purchase a few cargoes of Iranian oil on water following the recent sanctions waiver by Washington. “Claims on vessel diversion ignore how the oil trade works.

Source: The Hindu April 04, 2026 19:27 UTC