ndia currently has crude oil and fuel stocks sufficient for six to eight weeks, putting the country in a “reasonably comfortable” position despite the ongoing military conflict in West Asia, a senior official from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said.
The conflict escalated after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate by targeting countries hosting American military assets. The tensions have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route through which a large share of India’s oil and gas imports pass.
India imports around 2.5–2.7 million barrels of crude oil per day through the Strait, mainly from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait. The country imports over 88% of its crude oil needs, making West Asia a key supplier.
Officials said Indian refiners currently hold about 25 days of crude oil inventory, including oil stored in tanks, pipelines, and shipments already in transit. India’s strategic petroleum reserves add roughly another week of supply, while stocks of key fuels such as petrol, diesel, and LPG can meet about 25 days of domestic demand.
The government is closely monitoring the situation and has set up a 24×7 control room to track fuel supply and stock levels across the country.
While crude oil supplies are considered manageable, LNG and LPG remain more vulnerable because India does not maintain large reserves of these fuels. The situation has become more sensitive after Qatar—India’s largest LNG supplier—temporarily halted production following attacks on some facilities.
Officials said India is exploring alternative supply sources, including Russia, the US, West Africa, and Latin America, while companies are also looking to secure additional LNG and LPG cargoes from non-Gulf suppliers.
Experts believe India can manage short-term supply disruptions, but the overall impact will depend on how long the Strait of Hormuz disruption lasts. If the crisis continues, the country may face higher energy prices, even if supply shortages are avoided.
