India’s crude oil imports from West Asia rose sharply in September despite continued risks around the Strait of Hormuz, as Gulf suppliers increasingly used ship-to-ship (STS) transfers to keep crude moving through the key shipping route, according to The Indian Express. At the same time, Russian crude supplies to India fell for a second consecutive month. Stronger Chinese demand, lower Russian export availability and disruptions to Russia’s oil infrastructure have put pressure on supplies from India’s biggest crude source.