Amid growing concerns over global energy supply disruptions due to escalating tensions in West Asia, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday assured that India has adequate crude oil reserves and there is no shortage of fuel in the country. He urged citizens not to spread rumours or create panic through misinformation, stressing that India’s energy supply chain remains stable despite the ongoing crisis.
Speaking on the evolving global energy situation, Puri said the world is witnessing an unprecedented moment in modern energy history. However, he emphasised that India’s crude supply position remains secure, largely due to proactive diplomatic engagement and strategic diversification of energy sources under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to the minister, before the crisis, nearly 45 per cent of India’s crude oil imports passed through the critical maritime route of the Strait of Hormuz. With tensions affecting movement in the region, India has successfully secured alternative supplies that exceed the volume previously delivered through the Strait.
Puri highlighted that India has significantly reduced its reliance on the Strait of Hormuz by expanding crude sourcing from multiple global partners. He stated that non-Hormuz sourcing now accounts for approximately 70 per cent of India’s crude imports, up from 55 per cent before the recent conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
The minister noted that India’s crude oil procurement network has expanded substantially over the years. While the country imported crude from around 27 nations in 2006–07, it now sources oil from nearly 40 countries. This long-term strategy of structural diversification has strengthened India’s ability to manage global disruptions more effectively than many other nations.
He also informed Parliament that Indian refineries are currently operating at high capacity utilisation, with several facilities even exceeding 100 per cent capacity in order to maintain consistent fuel supply across the country.
In addition to crude oil, Puri said large liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes are reaching India almost daily through alternate supply routes. The government has secured shipments from a range of countries, including the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia.
These diversified procurement arrangements, combined with domestic gas production, ensure that India can maintain stable power generation and meet industrial energy requirements even if the geopolitical conflict continues for a prolonged period.
The government has also taken steps to strengthen domestic supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a crucial cooking fuel for millions of households. Puri revealed that LPG production has been increased by 28 per cent over the past five days following directives issued to refineries, while additional procurement measures are also underway.
Emphasising the government’s priority to safeguard household energy needs, the minister said the primary focus of the administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to ensure that the kitchens of India’s 33 crore families—especially those belonging to economically weaker sections—do not face any shortages.
“Domestic supply is fully protected and the delivery cycle remains unchanged,” Puri told Parliament, reaffirming that India’s fuel supply chain remains resilient despite the ongoing global uncertainty.
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