Amid fears of prolonged disruptions to Middle Eastern crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), sources said Moscow is prepared to “fulfil India’s energy demands in case of continued disruption of supplies due to the West Asia crisis”.
The assurance comes as hostilities between the United States and Iran intensify, affecting trade routes, shipping lanes and energy markets across the region. Iran, in retaliatory strikes, has targeted oil refineries and production facilities across multiple locations.
Tehran has also announced the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warning that vessels attempting to pass through could face attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint for global crude and LNG shipments, including a significant portion of India’s energy imports.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said earlier today that India has sufficient reserves of crude oil and petroleum products to manage short-term disruptions.
“The trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability continues to guide India’s approach, focused on meeting the energy requirements of our citizens,” Puri said. According to ANI, citing sources, India currently holds around 25 days’ worth of crude oil stocks and 25 days’ worth of petrol and diesel inventories, translating into roughly eight weeks of total fuel availability. About 40% of India’s crude imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 60% are sourced through alternative routes.
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The minister noted that India has diversified its crude sourcing in recent years to reduce vulnerability to regional instability. Public sector oil marketing companies maintain adequate inventories, while strategic petroleum reserves serve as an additional safeguard against potential shocks.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has also set up a 24×7 control room to monitor fuel stocks and supply positions nationwide. Senior officials and heads of public sector energy firms attended a high-level review meeting to assess preparedness in light of the Gulf crisis.
Government sources said the priorities remain ensuring uninterrupted fuel availability, protecting consumer interests and safeguarding the welfare of nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf region.
“The government remains vigilant and prepared to respond to any potential disruption,” the ministry said, highlighting coordination with domestic and international partners to maintain energy security.