India, the world’s third biggest oil consumer, is set to snap up millions of barrels of Middle East crude for its strategic reserves to take advantage of low prices, according to officials with knowledge of the matter.
The purchases are also in line with global efforts to stabilize energy markets and support demand after Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke with his US and Saudi Arabian counterparts and the head of the International Energy Agency, said two of the officials.
India’s move comes after China said earlier this month it would start buying up oil for its emergency reserves. Crude prices have crashed by more than half this year as the coronavirus eviscerated global demand for fuels.