NEW DELHI: India is now far better positioned to deal with disruptions in global energy markets than it was a decade ago, government officials said on Sunday. Although the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical shipping chokepoint, India can reroute vessels and adjust its sourcing strategy by relying on other energy-exporting nations.
With global supply chains becoming increasingly uncertain, officials said India’s broader and more diversified network of energy suppliers and partnerships has become a key pillar of the country’s energy security.
Before the recent military conflict in West Asia began about two weeks ago, around 55% of India’s crude imports came from routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said this share has now increased to 70%. India has also approached additional countries for natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies, and shipments via alternative routes have already begun arriving.
India currently imports about half of its natural gas needs and nearly 60% of its LPG requirements.
“Through expanding domestic production, managing the transition to new energy sources and diversifying supply sources, the Modi government has reduced the country’s vulnerability to external shocks affecting its energy needs,” an official said.
Officials added that India’s policy of multi-alignment in foreign relations has helped it build stronger ties with multiple countries, enabling it to secure energy supplies from a wider set of partners.
As a result, India’s crude sourcing base has expanded from 27 countries a decade ago to more than 40 today.
Another factor lowering dependence on crude imports is the 20% ethanol blending programme, which displaces roughly 44 million barrels of crude oil each year.
The government has also promoted the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) sector. EV registrations in 2023–24 were nearly ten times higher than in 2019–20, and in 2025–26, EV sales reached 2.3 million units, accounting for about 8% of total vehicle registrations in the country.
