India has expanded its energy sourcing to 41 countries as the government works to keep supplies steady amid rising tensions in West Asia and concerns over key shipping routes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Lok Sabha during a discussion on energy security and the West Asia situation. (Photo: Sansad TV/YouTube grab)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the government is working to keep oil and gas supplies steady despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, stressing that India has widened its sourcing network to reduce risk.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, PM Modi said India now imports energy from 41 countries, up from 27 earlier, a shift he described as key to managing disruptions.
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“In the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports. Previously, energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG were imported from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries.”
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The Prime Minister flagged concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for India’s energy imports, where shipping has become more difficult since the conflict escalated.
Even so, he said the government has taken steps to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel and gas has not been hit in any major way.
“A large quantity of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers — many essential items — come to India through the Hormuz Strait route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Hormuz Strait has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted,” said the PM.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, the PM said, “The situation in West Asia is worrisome. This conflict has been going on for more than three weeks. It has a severe impact on the global economy and the lives of people, and that is why the world is urging all sides for an early resolution.”
He noted that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri have been regularly briefing Parliament, while Indian missions in affected countries remain engaged on the ground.
“Since this war began, every Indian in the affected countries has been provided assistance. I have spoken over the phone with the heads of state of most West Asian countries for two rounds. All have assured the safety of Indians,” PM Modi said.
He added that round-the-clock control rooms and emergency helplines have been set up both in India and abroad.
“Whether it’s Indians working there or tourists who have gone there, everyone is being provided with all possible assistance. Our missions are regularly issuing advisories. 24/7 outreach rooms and emergency helplines have been established in India and other affected countries. Through these, all affected people are being provided with the latest information. In times of crisis, the safety of Indians in India and abroad is crucial, ” PM Modi said.
India currently imports around 60 per cent of its LPG requirement, and the government has prioritised domestic consumers amid uncertainty.
At the same time, “domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” he said.
PM Modi also pointed to long-term measures taken over the past decade to strengthen energy security.
India now has strategic petroleum reserves of over 53 lakh metric tonnes, with plans to expand this further to more than 64 lakh metric tonnes. Separate reserves held by oil companies add to this buffer.
“In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has also increased significantly. The government is continuously in touch with suppliers from different countries, making efforts to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible. The Government of India is keeping a constant watch on Gulf and overseas shipping routes,” he said.
The government is in constant touch with suppliers across regions and is closely monitoring shipping routes, particularly in the Gulf.
PM Modi said efforts are being made to ensure that shipments of essential commodities, including oil, gas and fertilisers, continue to reach India safely.
Some vessels that had been delayed around the Hormuz route have already reached India in recent days, he added.
“Our endeavour is that ships carrying essential items like oil, gas, and fertilisers reach India safely. We are in constant communication with all our global partners to ensure that our maritime corridors remain safe. Due to such efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait have also arrived in India in recent days,” said the PM.
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