The Center said on Wednesday that India’s crude oil supplies remain safe and uninterrupted, even as concerns grow over potential disruptions to global energy shipments amid escalating tensions in West Asia.
At a press conference on Wednesday, a government official said the country currently has access to about 55,000 barrels of crude oil per day, adding that the quantities secured today exceed what would normally have arrived through the Strait of Hormuz during this period.
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Supply is stable despite the US-Iran war
Officials stressed that the government and oil companies have taken steps to diversify sources of supply and ensure that energy imports continue without interruption.
“India’s supply of crude oil remains secure,” a senior government official said, adding that the procurement arrangements currently in place provide sufficient quantities to meet demand in the country.
This reassurance comes at a time of increasing fears of supply disruption due to the escalating conflict in West Asia and security concerns around key maritime routes.
Read also: 90% of India’s LPG imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, but things are under control, according to the government.
The disturbance in the Strait of Hormuz raises concerns
Tensions rose in the region after the US-Israeli attack on Iran on February 28 and the retaliation that followed, sparking volatility in global energy markets and concerns about shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea lane linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, has become a strategic checkpoint after Iran announced its closure following the attacks and assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Nearly a fifth of global oil and gas trade passes through the strait, making it one of the world’s most important energy routes.
Nearly half of India’s crude oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, while a significant share of LPG and LNG cargoes also travel on the same route.
What did the government say about liquefied petroleum gas?
Another government official said an order issued on March 8 directs refineries to maximize LPG production, while urging the public not to panic. There is no need to panic to reserve LPG, the Oil Ministry said, adding that the normal delivery cycle for domestic households remains around 2.5 days.
