‘India Has Weeks of Oil Supply’: Puri’s Assurance Amid Strait of Hormuz Closure


Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri assured citizens on Sunday that the fuel supply of India remains stable and secure. The recent statement of Puri comes after Iran announced a move to close the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.

Puri, in a post on X, said India closely monitored the evolving geopolitical situation for the past two weeks and has taken steps under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to diversify the energy imports.

“We have diversified our supplies in the past few years and a large volume of our supplies do not come through the Strait of Hormuz now,” Puri wrote on X.

“Our Oil Marketing Companies have supplies of several weeks and continue to receive energy supplies from several routes. We will take all necessary steps to ensure stability of supplies of fuel to our citizens,” he added.

The Parliament of Iran approved on Sunday a measure to close the Strait of Hormuz following the US airstrikes on its nuclear sites — Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The Strait of Hormuz, which Iran is threatening to shut down following US strikes on its nuclear facilities, is an important transit for oil coming from the Middle East. About 2 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil out of India’s total import of 5.5 million bpd transits through the narrow waterway. However, India has diversified sources – from Russia to the US and Brazil – which can readily fill any void. Russian oil is logistically detached from the Strait of Hormuz, flowing via the Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, or Pacific Ocean. Even the US, West African, and Latin American flows – though costlier – are increasingly viable backup options. Our Oil Marketing Companies have supplies for several weeks and continue to receive energy supplies from several routes.

News18 sources warned that the strait’s closure could choke 20–25% of the world’s oil and 30% of global LNG trade, leading to oil prices shooting up to $200–$300 per barrel, and it would severely impact the global economy.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a 45-minute phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. He expressed deep concerns over the recent escalations and stressed the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, and immediate de-escalation.

(With inputs from agencies.)



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