Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an important high-level meeting  with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The discussion was on the growing shortage of LPG (cooking gas) in India amid the ongoing war between Iran, Israel, and the United States.

The government is working on an urgent plan to protect common people and ensure that the domestic LPG supply is not badly affected by the war in the Middle East.

Why is the LPG shortage happening in India?

The current crisis started after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow sea route in the Persian Gulf that is very important for oil and gas shipments.

Because of military actions and tensions in the region, shipping through this strait has been heavily disrupted. India depends heavily on this route for its LPG imports.

India’s dependence on the Strait of Hormuz

India imports around 62% of its total LPG requirement from other countries. Out of these imports, 85% to 90% come from Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Any blockage or delay in this route directly impacts the availability of cooking gas in Indian kitchens.

The government’s strategy to secure the LPG supply

The government has activated a special plan to reduce the impact on common citizens. It is now looking for alternative sources of LPG from other countries. At the same time, available stocks are being strictly prioritized for domestic use, especially for households.

The meeting focused on finding quick solutions so that people do not face difficulties in getting LPG cylinders.

India’s annual LPG consumption

India uses approximately 31.3 million tonnes of LPG every year. Most of this is used by households for cooking. With rising demand, the government is taking proactive steps to maintain a smooth supply even during this global crisis.