Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Union minister for petroleum and natural gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Friday sought to allay public concerns about energy availability, stating that there is “no shortage of energy in India” and no reason for consumers to worry amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia.In a post on X, the minister said, “In my regular interaction with members of the fourth estate today, we discussed various aspects of India’s uninterrupted energy imports despite geopolitical challenges. Our priority is to ensure availability of affordable and sustainable fuel for our citizens, and we are doing it comfortably. There is no shortage of energy in India and there is no cause of worry for our energy consumers.”The comments come against the backdrop of tensions in West Asia, which have raised global concerns about potential disruptions in crude oil flows through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Government sources cited by the ANI described India’s oil, petroleum products and LPG supplies as being in a “very comfortable position”.
Officials highlighted that India has significantly diversified its crude import basket in recent years. Since 2022, imports from Russia have risen sharply. In February, around 20 per cent of India’s total crude imports — roughly 1.04 million barrels per day — came from Moscow.State-run Indian Oil Corporation dismissed social media posts alleging fuel shortages as “baseless”, asserting that stocks are sufficient and distribution networks are functioning normally. The company urged citizens not to panic or crowd fuel stations and to rely on official sources for accurate information.The sources added that all major refineries, including LPG units, have been instructed to increase output to ensure adequate availability nationwide. India has also started importing LPG from the United States, with public sector firms signing a one-year contract in November 2025 to purchase around 2.2 million tonnes per annum from the US Gulf Coast for 2026.
