Diesel exports to Europe at 11-month high in Aug

AS THE EUROPE Union prepares to ban petroleum products refined from Russian crude from January 2026, India's diesel exports to Europe jumped to an 11-month high in August, according to vessel tracking data.

- SUKALP SHARMA

Industry insiders and experts believe that India's petroleum product exports to Europe, particularly diesel, should remain robust in the months leading up to the EU ban as the continent would be stockpiling fuels and mitigating anticipated supply shortfalls.

Europe's increased lifting of diesel from India comes at a time when the US and some of its Western allies have ramped up the rhetoric against India over its hefty purchases of Russian crude, and have alleged that the country is profiteering by supplying products derived from discounted Russian crude to the West — mainly Europe — which has an embargo on Russian oil and petroleum products. India has rejected these allegations, stating that there is nothing illegal in importing Russian oil and exporting petroleum products, and countries that have a problem can just stop importing fuels from India.