India, Sept. 9 -- India faces the prospect of a higher oil import bill and renewed inflationary pressure after international crude prices surged on Tuesday, with Brent approaching $100 a barrel as escalating West Asia tensions raised concerns about disruptions to global supplies.

Brent futures rose more than 2 per cent to around $99 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained almost 3 per cent to about $94. The latest development followed attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and heightened tensions involving Iran and the US, raising concerns about further disruption to oil flows. India, the world's third-largest oil importing and consuming country, is particularly exposed to swings in international crude prices.

It imports...