Indian Crude Basket: What it is, why it’s not Brent, and why the $146 number matters more than you think

Are you getting anxious hearing news about Brent crude at $110? What we will tell you could make you even more anxious: India’s official crude basket – comprising mostly Oman/Dubai sour crude – is at a much higher $146.09. Why this $40-per-barrel gap? This gap is not some glitch – it’s a fiscal worry. This story is about the Indian crude basket: What it is, how it’s constructed, why it diverges from Brent, what premium India is really paying, and what it means for your money.