India Secures Energy Amid West Asia Crisis

India is actively managing its energy security amidst the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has disrupted global energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, reassured the India — Lok Sabha that India faces no fuel shortages. The country has diversified its crude oil sourcing from 27 to 40 countries, with non-Hormuz routes now accounting for approximately 70% of imports, up from 45%. Domestic LPG production has increased by 28% through refinery directives, and additional LNG cargoes have been secured from new sources including the United States, Norway, Canada, Algeria, and Russia. The government has implemented measures such as regulating commercial LPG to prevent black marketing, expanding the Delivery Authentication Code system, and introducing minimum booking gaps for LPG cylinders. Alternative fuel options like kerosene and fuel oil are being activated, and the India — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has advised permitting biomass and coal as alternate fuels for the hospitality sector. Despite global market volatility, consumer prices for LPG have been shielded, with the government absorbing a significant portion of cost increases. These proactive steps aim to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for over 33 crore families, hospitals, and educational institutions, protecting the Indian economy from the severe global energy disruption.