India has activated parallel diplomatic channels in West Asia, with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in Qatar and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar set to visit the UAE, as disruptions to gas supplies and shipping routes begin to bite.
Puri’s visit comes as LNG flows from Qatar, one of India’s largest suppliers, remain under strain following damage to key production facilities during the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The hit to infrastructure has taken a significant share of export capacity offline, with timelines for full restoration still uncertain.
The situation has been heightened by restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, tightening availability and complicating cargo schedules for import-dependent countries like India.
Officials indicated that Puri’s discussions will centre on ensuring continuity of supplies and assessing near-term availability, even as India taps alternative sources including the US, Australia and Russia to bridge gaps.
Qatar had accounted for a substantial portion of India’s LNG imports prior to the disruption, making the current situation particularly sensitive for domestic energy planning. India imports about 50% of its LNG requirements from the international market, with Qatar supplying roughly 40% of that volume.
Recent attacks on Qatari energy infrastructure have damaged facilities, reducing the country’s LNG export capacity by nearly 17%, according to QatarEnergy CEO Saad al-Kaabi. The strikes affected two LNG trains and one gas-to-liquids facility, eliminating an estimated 12.8 million tonnes per year from production. Repairs are expected to take three to five years.
The disruption has already affected India’s imports, with the government reportedly sourcing LNG from alternative markets including the US, Australia, and Russia. Puri is expected to meet Qatari energy officials to discuss safeguarding supplies.
Meanwhile, domestic LPG supplies remain stable. The Ministry of Petroleum stated that delivery volumes are normal, with 5.35 million cylinders delivered on April 7. Online bookings have increased by around 95%, while DAC-based deliveries have risen about 91% to prevent diversion.
Alongside energy concerns, the broader impact on supply chains and trade routes is also in focus. The constraints in the Gulf region have raised shipping costs and introduced delays, affecting sectors dependent on timely imports.
