Impact of West Asian conflict on India's LPG supply

The recent unprovoked military attack by the United States and Israel on Iran beginning February 28, 2026, has led to significant global instability.

- DR.S.KRISHNAN, RIMJHIM JAIN AND SHUBHRADEEP SHUKLA

The military operations which resulted in the deaths of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking officials as well as civilian casualties including the killing of 165 girl students while attending school, prompted strong retaliation by Iran including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The closure of the critical waterway, through which much of India's energy imports pass, has witnessed shipping disruptions that have directly contributed to supply chain breakdowns for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and crude oil. India, as the world's second-largest importer of LPG, now faces acute challenges that threaten household stability, commercial operations, and broader economic growth. While the Centre has directed refiners and petrochemical complexes to maximise LPG output and prioritise household cooking gas supply, limited stockpiles are emerging as a cause for concern.

India's dependence on West Asia for cooking gas has deep historical and logistical roots. The country imports the bulk of its LPG from Gulf producers, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. The geographical proximity of these suppliers and the presence of well-established shipping routes have historically made the Gulf region a reliable source of LPG for India. Most of these shipments travel through the Strait of Hormuz before reaching Indian ports. Because of this dependence on a single maritime corridor, any disruption in the region can have immediate implications for India's energy supply.