India has enough fuel reserves, no shortage threat despite West Asia tensions: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday chaired the fifth meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia and assured that India currently faces no shortage of petroleum products despite continuing tensions and instability across the Gulf region.

According to official information shared after the meeting, the government stated that India presently holds reserves and rolling stock sufficient for approximately 60 days of crude oil, 60 days of natural gas and 45 days of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), providing a significant energy security cushion amid global uncertainty.

The Defence Minister said the government is taking “all concrete steps” to prevent any disruption in supply chains and to ensure uninterrupted energy flow, economic stability and secure maritime trade routes as tensions continue in West Asia.

The high-level meeting focused on India’s preparedness in the event of escalation in the region, particularly amid continuing concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz, shipping security, oil supply routes and broader geopolitical instability involving Iran, Israel and Gulf nations.

Officials stated that the government is closely monitoring developments affecting international energy markets and maritime logistics. India imports a significant portion of its crude oil requirements from West Asian countries, making regional stability critical for domestic energy and economic planning.

During the meeting, Rajnath Singh reportedly stressed the importance of “strategic crisis anticipation,” “early warning assessment,” “scenario planning” and timely “whole-of-government preparedness” to deal with emerging risks connected to regional conflicts and supply chain vulnerabilities.

The government’s review comes amid heightened global concern over disruptions in shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important oil transit corridors. Recent military tensions, drone incidents and diplomatic standoffs in the region have led several countries to reassess energy security measures and contingency planning.

Officials indicated that various ministries are coordinating to ensure continuity in fuel supplies, logistics operations and maritime trade movement. The government is also maintaining close communication with energy companies, shipping agencies and strategic stakeholders involved in petroleum imports and distribution.

India has steadily expanded its strategic petroleum reserve capacity and energy diversification efforts over recent years to reduce vulnerability to external disruptions and sudden price volatility in international markets.

The meeting also reviewed broader national preparedness measures related to economic resilience, trade continuity and emergency response coordination in case of further escalation in West Asia.

Government officials reiterated that there is currently no immediate concern regarding fuel availability within the country and that existing reserves and rolling stock are adequate to manage potential short-term disruptions.

The developments are being closely watched by industries, financial markets and energy analysts as geopolitical tensions continue influencing global oil prices and shipping dynamics.