Hormuz Shock Sends China and India Racing for Russian Crude

The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz has become a severe stress test for both Gulf crude suppliers and their key buyers. Despite repeated assurances from U.S. officials that the waterway was never formally blocked, satellite tracking suggests that no oil or product tankers transited the strait since March 1. The disruption immediately placed the world’s largest importers under pressure. China and India together consume tens of millions of barrels per day, and both remain structurally dependent on Gulf crude. China has steadily expanded…