By- Divyanshi Sinha
Defying the Strait blockade, India imported its first Iranian crude cargo in seven years via a stealthy tanker slipping through on April 5—1.2 million barrels for Reliance's Jamnagar refinery, with "no payment hurdles" via rupee trade. This bold move, amid Trump's deadline, underscores New Delhi's balancing act: buying discounted sanctioned oil (at $65/bbl vs. Brent's $126) while backing US ceasefire pushes.
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the "LPG tanker crossed Strait safely," averting domestic fuel spikes—petrol steady at Rs 95/L in Mumbai. It's the first since 2019 US sanctions, routed via Indian Ocean backchannels with insurance from GIC Re. Analysts hail it as "strategic hedging," boosting SPR fills to 90 days.
Critics warn escalation risks; MEA clarifies "apolitical commerce." Globally, it irks Washington but aligns with China's similar buys.
