Energy Markets
India's trade deficit widens due to a surge in crude imports due to the Mideast war
India's trade deficit grew to $28.38billion in April as a surge of crude shipments?pushed imports up to a six-month peak with the?Middle East Conflict disrupting supplies?and raising oil and gas?prices. As the rupee plunges to new lows and becomes Asia's worst performing currency, policymakers are concerned that the energy shock caused by the Iran war, which lasted for months, could slow down growth, increase inflation, or affect India's balance-of-payments. India is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world. It ships more than 80% of its crude and 60% of its cooking gas from the Middle East. A...