As geopolitical tensions continue to escalate in West Asia, the Indian government has intensified efforts to secure energy supplies, stabilise essential commodity availability and ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the region. An inter-ministerial briefing held in New Delhi on 11 May outlined a wide-ranging contingency strategy covering petroleum supplies, fertiliser stocks, shipping operations and evacuation efforts.
The developments come as disruptions in the Gulf region threaten global energy markets and maritime routes, especially the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of India’s crude imports pass.
India Ramps up Fuel Security Measures
One of the government’s primary concerns has been preventing panic buying and ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply. Officials said more than 1.26 crore domestic LPG cylinders were delivered over the last three days against bookings of around 1.14 crore cylinders, indicating that supply chains remain functional despite the crisis.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that all retail fuel outlets across the country are operating normally and adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available. The government has also maintained unchanged retail fuel prices at PSU-operated outlets even as international crude oil prices remain volatile. To cushion consumers, excise duty on petrol and diesel has been reduced by Rs 10 per litre.
Authorities have simultaneously appealed to citizens to avoid panic purchasing and conserve energy. The government has encouraged the use of public transport, PNG connections, induction cooktops and alternate fuels to reduce pressure on LPG demand.
Shift towards PNG and Alternate Fuels Gathers Pace
A major component of the government’s response has been accelerating India’s transition towards piped natural gas (PNG). Since March 2026, around 6.79 lakh PNG connections have been activated, while infrastructure for another 2.68 lakh connections has been created. More than 7.29 lakh additional consumers have registered for new PNG connections.
Officials also said over 52,300 PNG consumers have voluntarily surrendered their LPG connections through the MYPNGD.in portal.
To further ease LPG pressure, the Centre has extended incentives for commercial and domestic PNG users while fast-tracking approvals for City Gas Distribution infrastructure. The government has also linked additional commercial LPG allocation for states to reforms promoting PNG expansion.
Fertiliser Stocks Remain Comfortable Ahead of Kharif
The government has sought to reassure farmers that fertiliser supplies remain stable despite global uncertainty. Total fertiliser stock in the country stood at 199.65 lakh tonnes as of 11 May 2026, compared to 178.58 lakh tonnes during the same period last year.
For the Kharif 2026 season, the fertiliser requirement has been assessed at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes, with current stocks already covering more than 51 per cent of expected demand, significantly higher than the usual preparedness level of around 33 per cent.
The government attributed the stronger stock position to improved planning, advanced stocking and more efficient logistics management.
Crackdown on Hoarding and Black Marketing
With concerns over panic buying rising in several parts of the country, both the Centre and state governments have intensified enforcement action against hoarding and black marketing.
Officials said over 1,500 raids were conducted across the country in a single day, while 382 LPG distributorships faced penalties and 76 distributorships were suspended for irregularities.
State governments have also established control rooms and district monitoring committees under the Essential Commodities Act to monitor fuel supply and prevent misuse.
Maritime Operations remain Stable
Despite tensions in the Gulf region, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, with no reported incidents involving Indian-flagged merchant vessels in the past 24 hours.
The Directorate General of Shipping has handled 8,889 calls and over 19,758 emails since the activation of emergency control rooms. More than 3,096 Indian seafarers have been repatriated so far, including 77 in the last 72 hours.
Port operations across India continue normally without congestion, indicating that trade flows remain largely unaffected for now.
India Evacuates Citizens from Iran
The Ministry of External Affairs said India’s diplomatic missions remain on high alert across the Gulf region. A dedicated control room is operational to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families.
So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,549 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes as tensions continue in the region.
While airspaces in several Gulf countries have gradually reopened, India has continued to advise its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran and maintain contact with Indian missions in the region. |
