India’s oil use in 2025 is expected to grow by 3.4% to reach 5.74 million barrels per day (bpd), and by 2026, it may reach 5.99 million bpd—a 4.3% increase. This is more than twice the growth rate of China. In 2025 and 2026, China’s oil use went up by 1.5% and 1.25%, showing a big change in how oil is used around the world. The China India comparison highlights a major shift in energy demand trends.

India is expected to make up a quarter of the world’s oil use growth in 2025. This is a big change for a country that used to fall behind China in oil use. The rise is driven by strong business activity, more factories, better production, and people spending more.

Domestic Demand Driving Import Surges

India’s oil buying reached a new high in March 2025. That month, India bought about 5.13 million bpd of oil—the most in a month since 2008. By May, this grew to 5.26 million bpd, mostly because of strong fuel use at home and busy refineries. The China India oil demand story shows how both countries continue to shape global energy flows, with India now taking a lead in growth.

Diesel is the main reason for this growth. With more roads being built, more trucks and transport, and active factories, diesel use went up by 4.2% in January 2025 compared to a year earlier. Gasoline use also rose by 6.7%. Bitumen use went up too, as more building projects are happening all over India.

Refinery Utilization and Strategic Scheduling

Refinery Utilization and Strategic Scheduling

One big reason for more oil buying is that India’s refineries were working at near full speed. In February and March, there were fewer maintenance breaks, and public oil companies were working to meet their yearly goals. This made oil buying go up during this time. The China India energy trends show how both countries are increasing refinery activity, but India’s growth has been more rapid lately.

India’s refineries made good money from making fuel, helped by steady fuel demand and cheaper oil from Russia. More farming, busy factories, and delivery needs before summer also pushed fuel use higher.

Russian Crude: The Cornerstone of Import Strategy

Russia is still India’s biggest oil supplier. It provided over 36% of India’s oil in March, rising to 38% in May. The return of oil from Russia helped India bring in more oil. In March alone, India bought about 1.9 million bpd from Russia. The China India oil trade strategies show how both countries have managed global energy shifts differently, with India relying more on discounted Russian oil.

Of this, about 1.43 million bpd came from a type of Russian oil called Urals—the most in four months. Even with Western rules in place, India’s oil companies have adjusted well. They used ship-to-ship transfers and dealt with higher transport costs to benefit from cheaper Russian oil.

After drone attacks on oil plants in Russia, Russia had more oil available to sell. Urals oil stayed well below $60 a barrel, so Indian buyers could avoid using Western shipping and insurance services.

Trade Shifts and Global Moves

India is now better at handling its energy needs worldwide. It works with Russia and many other suppliers—up to 39 countries—to make sure it gets the fuel it needs. The China India approach to energy is different: while China focuses on long-term deals, India adjusts quickly based on prices. India kept buying Russian oil even when other countries faced restrictions, showing it focuses more on costs than politics.

Even with fears of new rules in the future, experts say India will likely keep buying oil from Russia unless buyers or insurers are directly blocked. The China India energy strategies highlight how both nations balance global ties and domestic needs. The Indian government also said it will keep bringing in oil from different sources to meet the country’s needs.

Comparative Trends: India vs. China

India’s oil buying is going up, but China’s is going down. In May 2025, China bought 10.72 million bpd, which was less than the 10.99 million bpd it bought in April. That was the lowest since January. At the same time, India’s oil buying rose from 4.55 million bpd in April to 5.26 million bpd in May.

China still buys the most oil in the world, but India’s buying speed and need for energy is rising faster. China’s slow growth is due to a weaker economy and possibly less need for more oil since it already has stored enough and its suppliers raised their prices. Changes in the WTI oil price have also affected buying decisions in both countries, with India benefiting from recent price dips.

India’s strong economy, with 8.4% growth in one quarter and expected 7% growth in the next, helps explain the difference. The country’s national election, with almost a billion voters, also caused a short-term rise in fuel use. The steady WTI oil price outlook gives India confidence to keep increasing its oil imports.

Asia’s Oil Imports: India Takes the Lead

Asia is the biggest oil-buying region in the world. In May 2025, oil imports in Asia reached 27.81 million bpd—the most in a year. That’s a rise of 920,000 bpd from the month before. India was behind 710,000 bpd of that increase. Oil buying in South Korea and Japan stayed mostly the same.

India’s large share of this growth shows it’s becoming more important in the oil business. Its growing share in Asia’s oil numbers confirms its strong role. The price of oil is also helping shape these changes.

The Road Ahead: India’s Energy Landscape

The Road Ahead: India’s Energy Landscape

Looking ahead, many things show that India will stay at the center of the world’s oil needs:

More Roads and Buildings:

Ongoing work on roads, industries, and cities will keep bitumen and diesel use high.

More Vehicles:

As more people can afford cars and travel more, gasoline use will rise.

Bigger Refineries:

India is improving its old refineries and building new ones to meet the rising demand.

Emergency Oil Stocks:

The government is storing more oil for safety in case of any future trouble.

Quick Changes:

India’s ability to quickly react to rules, price changes, or global events gives it strength. The changing situation between India and China will keep affecting the world oil market.

Final Words

India has now become the most active buyer of oil in the world. It has moved ahead of China in how fast it is growing and has set new records for how much oil it brings in. The China India energy shift shows how strong economic growth, smart trade moves, and rising use at home put India in a strong position.

With oil buying above 5.26 million bpd and a good future ahead, India’s path in 2025 is not just a local success but a major moment globally. As other countries react to this new energy leader, India is expected to shape future oil prices, transport paths, and energy talks for years to come.