The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf to the open seas, is choking under escalating Middle East strife. This chokepoint carries one-fifth of global oil trade, making it indispensable for energy-hungry nations like India. New Delhi’s covert diplomatic maneuvers are paying off, safely extracting ships from the volatile zone.
Fresh figures reveal India’s crude oil imports now see 70% exposure to Hormuz routes, up from 55%, underscoring the heightened stakes. Daily demand hits 5.5 million barrels, met through a diverse basket of nearly 40 suppliers. Top providers Russia, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and UAE dominate, with US volumes climbing steadily.
Beyond the Gulf’s Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman, Africa supplies from Nigeria, Angola, Libya, and Algeria; the Americas from Canada, Mexico, Brazil; Central Asia from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Natural gas needs total 189 million cubic meters per day, half domestically produced, though disruptions have clipped 47.4 million cubic meters.
LPG imports, vital for cooking, constitute 60% of consumption, overwhelmingly via Hormuz. A 25% boost in local output is mitigating shortages. Qatar alone furnishes 47-50% of LNG needs, supplemented by UAE, Oman, Nigeria, Angola, Australia, and the US. Cooking gas reliance on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE is easing with American supplies.
While America seeks NATO warships to secure the strait, India’s vessels are docking safely. This blend of diversification and diplomacy ensures India’s energy supplies hold firm against brewing storms.