India’s crude oil imports from the Middle East surged last month and returned to pre-war levels.

Reuters, citing ship-tracking data, reported that India’s refineries reduced purchases of Russian oil amid intense competition with China.

India’s imports from the Middle East rose last month to 2.8 million barrels per day, and the Middle East’s share of India’s total imports increased to more than 54%.

Russian oil imports fell by about 14% from the previous month to 1.8 million barrels per day. Russia’s share dropped from 46.6% to 33.5%.

India’s refineries bought spot cargoes because Middle East producers and traders increased shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, and supply constraints caused by the war eased.