Hardeep Singh Puri says India strengthens energy security via diversified supplies and reserves

The United States has emerged as India’s largest LPG supplier following disruptions triggered by the Middle East crisis and the subsequent closure of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, Union Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday.Puri said India has also ramped up domestic LPG production to make up for the decline in imports from Gulf countries."Today, I am happy to inform you that the United States accounts for something like 67 per cent of our LPG imports," he said at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).The minister said India managed to protect consumers from supply disruptions arising from the Middle East crisis through measures including diversification of supply sources, expansion of refining capacity and increased domestic production.#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, says, "...For whatever reason, for decades, we have looked at energy security largely through the prism of access to hydrocarbons. Today, I think we are in a happy situation of being able to say… pic.twitter.com/p8ynH8ULYP— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2026 US Court Halts Trump's White House Ballroom Project, Says Congress Approval Needed #WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, says, "We are expanding our refining capacity at a time when Europe is losing 200,000 barrels of refining capacity a day, and many smaller refineries are closing down. If I may say respectfully, the… pic.twitter.com/CyiQSchSZD— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2026 "Today, I think we are in the happy situation of being able to say that, as far as India is concerned, we have moved on from that," he said, referring to the country's evolving approach to energy security — from relying primarily on hydrocarbon access to adopting diversified imports, strategic partnerships, infrastructure expansion and alternative fuels.Before the conflict broke out in the Middle East, India sourced up to half of its crude oil from countries that relied on the Strait of Hormuz for transit. Around 90 per cent of LPG imports and 60 per cent of other gas imports also passed through the waterway.Although these supplies were disrupted, India swiftly diversified its sources to ensure that no part of the country faced a shortage, Puri said."I can say with a degree of confidence, not one station went dry, not one," he added, referring to India's network of more than 1.07 lakh fuel retail outlets, up from 52,000 in 2014.India has also increased the number of countries supplying its crude oil from 27 to 41 and expanded city gas distribution coverage from 55 geographical areas to 309.Delhi: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, "Exploration and production requires heavy capital expenditure. It requires a human quality called patience and perseverance, and it requires financial support. Therefore, I can't find the words to express my admiration for what the… pic.twitter.com/knzAwGSqtG— IANS (@ians_india) August 7, 2026 MEA Clarifies No Govt Involvement In Sheikh Hasina's New Delhi Virtual Briefing | VIDEO "We never ran short of crude oil supplies. We always had about 60 days (cover); there was no shortage."Puri also highlighted the government's recently approved Rs 84,000 crore Samudra Manthan programme, which seeks to boost deepwater oil and gas exploration and strengthen long-term energy security."The government is not going to do the drilling. The drilling is going to be done by private players," he said.Under the programme, the government will provide support of up to 50 per cent of drilling costs, or a maximum of Rs 650 crore per well, to encourage private investment in high-risk offshore exploration.

India has significantly strengthened its energy security by diversifying crude oil supplies, expanding strategic infrastructure and investing in domestic exploration, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, asserting that the country is better equipped to deal with geopolitical disruptions than ever before.Speaking at the CII International Energy Conference and Exhibition in New Delhi, Puri said the evolving global energy landscape underscores the need for a "secure, smart and sustainable" energy order, while expressing hope for an early resolution of ongoing geopolitical conflicts that continue to threaten supply chains.Also read: India cuts energy import dependence to 42%, oil imports still meet 90% of demand: CII-EYRecalling the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this year, Puri described it as a "watershed moment" for global energy markets. Unlike earlier assumptions that the strategic shipping route would never actually be shut, the events demonstrated the vulnerability of global oil trade, he said.Despite the disruption, India was able to shield consumers from major external shocks, backed by diversified crude sourcing, expanded energy infrastructure, trusted international partnerships, strategic reserves and the growing use of alternative fuels, according to the minister.Puri also highlighted the government's recent approval of the Rs 84,000-crore Samudra Manthan scheme, calling it one of the world's largest state-backed initiatives to accelerate deepwater oil and gas exploration. Under the programme, private companies will undertake drilling while the government will support up to 50% of drilling costs, subject to a ceiling of around Rs 650 crore per well.The minister said the incentive is aimed at attracting global expertise and investment into India's offshore sector. Companies such as Brazil's Petrobras have been engaged for their deepwater drilling capabilities, while BP is partnering with ONGC to enhance production from the Mumbai High fields.Also read: Reliance Industries books supertanker at record $23-25 million freight to lift Iraqi crudeIndia is simultaneously expanding its refining capacity even as refining capacity is shrinking in parts of Europe, Puri said, adding that the country's growing energy demand will remain a key driver of global oil consumption. Between 2030 and 2050, nearly 30% of the increase in global oil demand is expected to come from India, underscoring the country's rising importance in global energy markets, he said.