India assured adequate fuel and energy reserves amid the West Asia crisis, with 60 days of crude oil and natural gas stocks and 45 days of LPG supply. The Centre urged citizens to conserve fuel as global crude prices continue to rise sharply.
India on Monday reassured citizens that the country has sufficient reserves of crude oil, natural gas, and LPG despite growing concerns over the ongoing crisis in West Asia. The Centre stated that there is no shortage of petroleum products in the country and appealed to people not to panic or engage in unnecessary purchasing of fuel.
According to the government, India currently holds around 60 days of crude oil reserves and an equal amount of natural gas stocks, while LPG rolling stock is available for approximately 45 days. The assurance came after the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The high-level meeting reviewed the evolving geopolitical situation in West Asia and assessed India’s preparedness to minimise the impact of the conflict on citizens and the economy. Officials informed the ministers that supply chains for petroleum products remain stable and the country continues to meet domestic demand without disruption.
India, which is the world’s third-largest oil refiner and the fourth-largest exporter of petroleum products, continues to export fuel to more than 150 countries while ensuring uninterrupted domestic supply. The government highlighted that India remains among the few nations where fuel prices have remained relatively stable despite prolonged international volatility in crude oil markets.
An official statement issued after the meeting noted that while the country is secure in terms of energy supply, the global rise in crude oil prices has imposed a substantial financial burden on the economy. The statement said oil marketing companies are currently absorbing losses of nearly Rs 1,000 crore every day to shield consumers from the impact of soaring international fuel prices.
The under-recoveries suffered by oil companies are estimated to have reached nearly Rs 2 lakh crore during the first quarter of 2026. Despite these losses, the government has avoided passing the burden directly onto consumers, unlike several countries where petroleum prices have increased between 30 and 70 per cent since the conflict began more than 70 days ago.
The Centre stressed that there is “no reason for anxiety” and urged citizens not to rush to petrol pumps or gas distribution centres. Officials clarified that adequate stocks of essential commodities and fuel products are available across the country and supply management systems remain effective.
The government also underlined the importance of fuel conservation during the present global crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to participate collectively in reducing fuel consumption and limiting unnecessary expenditure amid global economic disruptions.
The Prime Minister encouraged people to use public transport systems such as metros and buses, opt for carpooling whenever possible, and reduce avoidable petrol and diesel usage. Citizens were also advised to support domestic tourism instead of unnecessary foreign travel in order to conserve foreign exchange reserves.
In addition, the Prime Minister urged people to avoid non-essential gold purchases for at least one year as part of broader efforts to reduce economic pressure during the ongoing international crisis.
The meeting also reviewed India’s fertiliser preparedness for the upcoming kharif season of 2026. Officials informed the ministers that the country’s fertiliser requirement for the season has been estimated at 390.54 lakh metric tonnes (LMT). Against this requirement, the current stock level stands at around 199.65 LMT, which is more than 51 per cent of the total requirement and significantly higher than the usual stock level of approximately 33 per cent during this period.
The government further emphasised the need for sustainable agricultural practices to reduce import dependence. Prime Minister Modi called on farmers to reduce chemical fertiliser usage by 50 per cent and gradually adopt natural farming methods to improve soil health and lower external dependency.
He also encouraged the wider adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps instead of diesel-powered alternatives in the agriculture sector, describing it as an important step toward energy efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that ministries and state governments must work in coordination to promote responsible fuel consumption and create long-term awareness regarding energy conservation. He said institutional measures are needed to improve fuel efficiency and encourage prudent consumption behaviour among citizens.
| Also Read: PM Modi, Amit Shah attend Himanta Sarma oath ceremony today |
The meeting was attended by several senior Union ministers, including Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, Ports and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State Jitendra Singh.
