The government has said that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, LPG or crude oil in the country and has appealed to the public not to panic. This statement comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal in which he urged citizens to save fuel amid global tension. During an inter-ministerial briefing on the situation in West Asia, government officials confirmed that India has adequate fuel reserves and has taken steps to mitigate the impact of the ongoing conflict in the region.
Speaking at the briefing, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said India has adequate stocks of crude oil, LPG, petrol and diesel. He pointed out that about 90% of India’s energy imports come from the affected region, but the government has taken immediate steps to mitigate any potential disruption.
Sharma stressed that there was no need for panic buying as the country had adequate supplies of all types of fuel. He further said that the Prime Minister’s latest appeal should be seen as an effort towards energy conservation and as a means of reducing the economic burden on the country in this period of global uncertainty. “There is no shortage…” he said, adding that the government has implemented adequate measures to ensure minimal impact on supplies. Officials reiterated that Prime Minister Modi’s message – urging citizens to reduce unnecessary travel and save fuel – should not be understood as a reaction to any shortage in supply, but in the spirit of energy conservation. The government stressed that the appeal is aimed at promoting responsible use of the fuel at a time when global geopolitical tensions are impacting energy markets.
‘India receives energy from many countries’
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that as part of its energy conservation and supply security efforts, India is actively trying to source energy from various countries. Responding to questions related to the Iranian Foreign Minister’s visit to India, Jaiswal said that foreign ministers of BRICS countries and partner countries are expected to visit India, and details of these visits will be shared once the plans are finalised. He also reiterated India’s stance on the situation in West Asia, and said the country has supported peace and dialogue from the beginning. ‘Indian ships are returning safely’
Apash Sharma, an official in the Ministry of Ports and Shipping, said that so far 10 Indian-flagged ships have safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz without any extra charges. According to him, the welfare needs of the ship’s crew are also being met on a daily basis.