The temporary disruption in LPG supplies in parts of India is a reminder of how deeply interconnected the global energy system has become. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating tensions in West Asia has triggered shocks across global energy logistics. Several countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies are facing similar disruptions.
India has also experienced delays in LPG distribution in certain regions. The government responded quickly by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to ensure supply chains continue functioning smoothly. Officials have clarified that the disruption is logistical rather than structural and is expected to stabilise soon as alternative supply routes and inventories are activated.
Moments like these test not only the resilience of energy systems but also the maturity of political discourse. The Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. When it is disrupted, the global supply chain inevitably feels the impact. In such extraordinary geopolitical circumstances, responsible politics requires calm assessment rather than alarmism.
Unfortunately, sections of the Opposition have attempted to portray a temporary logistical challenge as a systemic collapse. Such reactions risk creating unnecessary panic at a time when the entire world is navigating energy turbulence. In moments of national challenge, political actors should act as responsible stakeholders rather than amplify anxiety.
The reality is that despite the present disruption, India remains among the best prepared countries to manage an energy shock of this magnitude. Over the past decade, the Narendra Modi government has systematically strengthened India’s energy security architecture.
Energy security is a critical pillar of national security for a country that imports nearly 85 percent of its crude oil requirements. Global oil market disruptions can directly affect inflation, trade balances and economic stability. Recognising this vulnerability, the government has spent the past decade strengthening India’s energy resilience through diversification, infrastructure investment and diplomatic engagement.
Recent tensions in West Asia, particularly the Israel-Iran confrontation, once again highlight the importance of these policies. Despite escalating hostilities in a region that supplies a large share of global oil, India has largely insulated itself from an immediate energy crisis.
One key factor behind this resilience is diversification of suppliers. Over the last decade, India has expanded the number of countries from which it imports crude oil. By 2023, the number of supplier nations had increased from 27 to 40. This ensures that no single geopolitical crisis can cripple India’s supply chain.
India also maintains significant energy buffers. The country currently holds between six and eight weeks of crude and fuel inventory. Commercial refiners maintain roughly 25 days of stock while strategic petroleum reserves provide additional coverage. Combined, these reserves allow India to withstand supply disruptions for nearly 70 days.
Strategic petroleum reserves have been particularly important. Underground storage facilities at Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur provide about 5.3 million tonnes of crude storage capacity. In addition, India maintains substantial onshore crude storage, strengthening the country’s ability to absorb global supply shocks.
Another pillar of stability has been India’s pragmatic energy sourcing strategy. Following changes in global markets, India significantly increased imports of discounted Russian crude. By 2023, Russia accounted for roughly 35 percent of India’s oil imports, helping stabilise supplies and shield domestic markets from global price volatility.
During the current crisis, the government has also reviewed contingency options including supply diversification and maritime security. State-run refiners such as Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum have explored alternative supplies from the United States, West Africa and Latin America. While these shipments involve longer transit times than Gulf routes, India’s diversified supplier network ensures viable alternatives remain available.
The strength of India’s current energy framework becomes clearer when compared with earlier years. During the United Progressive Alliance period, India’s energy supply structure was significantly more vulnerable to geopolitical shocks. Several refineries were heavily dependent on Iranian crude, creating excessive reliance on a single supplier. When international sanctions were imposed on Iran in 2012 and 2013, India faced serious supply challenges. Imports from Iran fell sharply and refiners were forced to scramble for alternative cargoes. At the time, India also lacked meaningful strategic petroleum reserves to cushion supply disruptions.
In contrast, India’s energy policy today is far more proactive. Strategic reserves have been expanded while a network spans 40 countries and refineries are capable of processing a wide range of crude types.
Energy security, however, depends not only on infrastructure but also on diplomacy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy has emphasised what analysts describe as multi-vector diplomacy, maintaining strong relationships with countries that may themselves be geopolitical rivals.
India has remained engaged with key regional actors including Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Such diplomatic balance is crucial in a region that remains central to global energy markets. It is also important because nearly nine million Indians live and work in West Asia.
As global energy markets evolve, India’s strategic position has strengthened considerably. The country is projected to be one of the largest drivers of global oil demand growth in the coming years. To support this growth, India has expanded refining capacity and upgraded energy infrastructure.
Energy security is rarely built through dramatic announcements. It is constructed gradually through sustained policy planning, infrastructure investment and diplomatic engagement. Over the past decade, India has strengthened its energy security architecture step by step.
As the current crisis shows, these efforts have equipped the country to navigate global energy turbulence with far greater confidence than before.
Tuhin A. Sinha, National Spokeperson, BJP Sumit Kaushik, social impact and public policy consultant
