India Dismisses Reports of Iranian Oil Diversion to China Due to Payment Issues
NEW DELHI, April 4, 2026 — The Government of India has officially refuted reports and social media claims suggesting that an Iranian crude oil cargo was diverted from Vadinar, India, to China because of “payment issues.” The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) clarified that such reports are factually incorrect and misleading, emphasizing that India maintains a diverse energy portfolio, importing crude from more than 40 countries, and that domestic refiners operate with full commercial flexibility to source oil from various global geographies based on commercial considerations.
The Ministry further addressed the specific logistical rumors, explaining that “Bills of Lading” in the oil trade often list indicative discharge ports and that on-sea cargoes frequently change destinations mid-voyage to optimize trade and operational efficiency.
Reassuring the public on energy security, the government stated that India’s crude oil requirements are fully secured for the coming months despite ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East.
Additionally, the Ministry dismissed similar rumors regarding LPG supplies, noting that the vessel Sea Bird, carrying approximately 44 TMT of Iranian LPG, successfully berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently in the process of discharging its cargo.
Official Statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas:- The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (@PetroleumMin) posted the following clarification on X: “The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to “payment issues” is factually incorrect.
India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources & geographies based on commercial considerations.
Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports as per some rumours being circulated.
Claims on vessel diversion ignore how oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility.
It is reiterated that 🇮🇳 India’s crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months. On LPG too, some claims being made are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India on April 2 and is currently discharging.”