Economy · 31 Jul 2026

Bab el-Mandeb Strait India crude imports

With reference to India's crude oil import routes, consider the following statements:

  1. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait lies on the shipping route used for both Saudi and Russian crude exports to India.
  2. India imports over 50% of its crude oil requirement from Russia as of mid-2026.
  3. Rerouting tankers around Africa instead of through the Suez-Red Sea corridor significantly shortens delivery time to India.
  4. India imports less than half of its total crude oil requirement.

How many of the above statements are correct?

AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll four
This question is based on: As Conflict Expands to Red Sea, India's Crude Options Narrow
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 31 Jul 2026
About this question

Why in news

Vessel crossings through Bab el-Mandeb fell sharply in late July 2026 amid Houthi targeting of tankers, threatening both India's Saudi and Russian crude supply routes simultaneously.

Why for UPSC

This format tests whether aspirants can distinguish genuinely stated facts from plausible-sounding but incorrect inferences about shipping logistics, a recurring UPSC pattern in energy security questions.

Prelims summary

India imports about 88% of its crude oil; over 50% now comes from Russia and both Russian and Saudi crude transit the same Bab el-Mandeb-Suez corridor, with African rerouting adding up to four weeks.

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