New Delhi, April 4 — India’s Petroleum Ministry on Saturday dismissed media reports that an Iranian crude oil cargo destined for India was diverted to China because of payment problems.
In a post on X, the ministry said there has been no payment obstacle affecting India’s crude imports and called the reports inaccurate. It stressed that Indian refiners routinely source oil from more than 40 countries and have commercial flexibility to change suppliers and destinations as market conditions dictate.
The ministry also explained that Bills of Lading often list indicative discharge ports, and that vessels and cargoes can be re-routed while at sea for trade optimisation or operational reasons — a normal part of oil trading that the reports overlooked.
“Claims that a cargo meant for Vadinar was diverted to China due to ‘payment issues’ are factually incorrect,” the ministry said, adding that Indian refiners have secured crude supplies amid Middle East disruptions and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports.
Addressing separate rumours about LPG supplies, the ministry said the vessel Sea Bird, carrying about 44,000 tonnes of Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently unloading. The earlier reports that sparked the diversion claim cited a commodity-market analysis firm.
Officials also noted that the India-flagged gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night with roughly 46,650 tonnes of LPG. New Delhi has been in talks with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage for Indian ships amid a maritime blockade related to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
The ministry’s statement comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions since February 28, when strikes involving the US and Israel and subsequent Iranian retaliation have unsettled stability and global fuel flows.
This account is based on agency reporting published as received.
