Hardeep Singh Puri told Parliament on Thursday that India has diversified its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports. The country now sources LPG from the US, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia, besides Gulf suppliers.
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he said India earlier imported about 60% of its LPG from Gulf countries. These included Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Around 40% of LPG was produced domestically. The government has now expanded procurement to more international suppliers. This step aims to ensure stable LPG supplies.He said the move comes as the government responds to disruptions in global energy supply. The tensions involve Iran, Israel and the United States in West Asia.
Puri also pointed to the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. About 20% of the world’s crude oil, natural gas and LPG passes through this route.He said the crisis marks one of the most challenging moments in modern energy history. It also shows the importance of diversifying energy sources.
Hardeep Singh Puri Says No Fuel Shortage in India
Hardeep Singh Puri assured the Lok Sabha that India’s crude oil supply remains secure despite disruptions in global energy routes.
He said India secured crude volumes that exceed supplies that would have come through the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, about 45% of India’s crude imports passed through this route.Puri credited Narendra Modi for diplomatic outreach that helped India secure additional crude supplies during the disruption.
He added that non-Hormuz sourcing has increased to about 70% of crude imports, up from 55% before the conflict.India now imports crude from around 40 countries, compared with 27 in 2006-07. This diversification has strengthened the country’s energy security.
The minister said Indian refineries are operating at high capacity utilisation, with some exceeding 100% output.He also assured that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or fuel oil in the country.
India Prioritises Gas Supply for Homes, CNG: Hardeep Singh Puri
Hardeep Singh Puri said the government is managing natural gas supplies through priority allocation. He added that the supply position remains stable beyond immediate needs.India produces about 90 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres per Day (MMSCMD) of natural gas. However, the country consumes around 189 MMSCMD.
Referring to the Essential Commodities Act, the minister said the government issued the Natural Gas Control Order on March 9. The order sets an immediate priority for gas allocation.He said domestic piped natural gas (PNG) for households and CNG for vehicles will receive full supply. There will be no cuts for these sectors.
Industrial and manufacturing users will receive up to 80% of their average supply over the past six months. This will help ensure agricultural inputs before the sowing season.Puri added that refineries and petrochemical units will face controlled reductions. The government will redirect that gas to higher-priority sectors.
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