The escalating wars and geopolitical tensions in West Asia have once again raised the question of how a major energy consumer like India should ensure its energy security. The growing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States in the Gulf region and regional instability directly impact the global energy market. LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is no exception. The use of LPG as domestic cooking gas has grown rapidly in India, and today it has become a daily necessity for millions of families. This is why, whenever a war or tension arises in West Asia, concerns about gas availability and prices in India increase. This crisis can also become an opportunity for India; it needs to diversify its energy policy and act on opportunities to move towards new sources.
Indeed, India is among the world’s largest LPG consumers. India’s total consumption is so large that approximately 60 to 65 per cent of its needs are met through imports. Currently, approximately 90 per cent of India’s LPG supply comes from the Gulf or West Asian countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Iraq. India’s distance from these countries is short, and ships take approximately three to seven days to reach India by sea. This is why, for years, a large part of India’s energy policy has been based on this region. However, this dependence is now becoming a risk for India.
Indeed, West Asia has long been a centre of political instability, war, and regional conflicts. Whenever tensions escalate in the region, energy supply disruptions arise. In recent years, rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the United States have destabilised the global energy market. According to reports, no shipments left the world’s largest LNG export terminal in Ras Laffan, Qatar, for several days. The movement of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz was also affected. This is the same sea route through which large quantities of oil and gas from Gulf countries are transported worldwide. In such a situation, the threat to an import-dependent country like India is natural.
It has been observed that when gas shortages in the international market escalate, Gulf exporting countries also try to take advantage of it. For example, India has long purchased gas from Qatar at approximately $6 to $8 per MMBTU. However, after the global crisis, this price increased to approximately $15 per MMBTU. When prices are so high, importing gas from a distant country can be comparatively cheaper. This is why India is also considering purchasing gas from countries such as the United States and Norway.
Ships arriving from the US Gulf Coast or Norway can take approximately 25 to 35 days to reach India. However, if there is a significant price difference, this option may be economically beneficial. India has also taken steps to increase LPG imports from the United States in recent years, and an agreement has been reached to source approximately 10 per cent of its LPG from the US from 2026. However, the most practical and strategic option for India may also be to look to some African countries.
Countries like Algeria, Nigeria, and Angola are major producers of LPG and gas and are geographically much closer to India than the US or Canada. It takes approximately 10 to 14 days for gas to reach India from Algeria by sea. From Nigeria, the journey takes approximately 12 to 16 days; from Angola, 12 to 18 days. This time is significantly shorter than from the US or Canada. Ships from these countries can reach India via the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean. Ships from West African countries travel from the Atlantic Ocean to India via the Cape of Good Hope, the southern tip of Africa, and then the Indian Ocean.
Increasing energy cooperation with Africa could benefit India in several ways. First, it would diversify India’s energy supply sources and reduce its excessive dependence on the Gulf region. Second, many African countries are rich in energy resources and offer investment and long-term contract opportunities. Third, India is already pursuing a policy to enhance trade and development cooperation with African countries, and therefore, partnerships in the energy sector can be further strengthened.
India has several major ports for LPG imports, including Kandla and Mundra Ports in Gujarat, Mumbai Port, Cochin Port in Kerala, Haldia Dock Complex in West Bengal, and Paradip Port in Odisha. These ports have LPG terminals and large storage tanks, where gas is unloaded from ships and transported across the country via pipelines, rail tankers, and trucks. During the recent crisis, the government also directed refineries to increase LPG production by approximately 10 per cent to ensure domestic supply is not affected.
The government’s priority is to ensure that domestic consumers do not face gas shortages under any circumstances. To this end, some cuts have been made in gas supplies to industries, and the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) has been implemented to ensure the safety of essential services. Additionally, a 25-day interval was set for cylinder bookings to prevent hoarding and panic buying.
In reality, this entire crisis holds a significant lesson for India. Energy security is not just a question of price or distance; it is a strategic policy. If India diversifies its import sources, enters into long-term contracts with African countries, and increases domestic production, the impact of such crises in the future can be significantly mitigated.
Ultimately, the Gulf crisis is a challenge for India, but it also represents an opportunity. An opportunity for India to make its energy policy more balanced and visionary. It is not entirely possible to distance itself from the Gulf countries, as they remain its closest and largest supplier. However, if India establishes strong energy ties with Africa, the United States, Australia, and other regions, it will undoubtedly be able to stand with greater confidence and independence in the global market. This strategy could prove to be the most effective path to India’s energy security and economic stability. At present, this seems to be the best suggestion for Bharat.
