New Delhi, March 7: Top government sources have dismissed concerns that the current global energy situation could pose a crisis for India. The country currently holds over 250 million barrels (approximately 4,000 crore liters) of crude oil and petroleum products, providing a buffer of about 7-8 weeks across the entire supply chain.
These reserves are not concentrated in one location or form. They are distributed among above-ground storage tanks, underground strategic caverns, pipeline systems, terminal tanks, storage vessels in transit at sea, and three dedicated strategic petroleum storage facilities in Mangalore, Padur, and Visakhapatnam.
According to official sources, India has sufficient stocks of crude oil, petrol, diesel, ATF, LPG, and LNG to manage short-term supply disruptions. The country continues to receive energy supplies from various global suppliers.
Sources stated, “The claim that global oil supply has halted or that India has only a 25-day reserve is incorrect and does not reflect the actual supply and stock situation.” India is in a well-thought-out and robust strategic position, a result of a consistent energy policy over the past 12 years.
The buffer is real, supply routes are diverse, and the supply record remains consistent. This buffer is not a countdown but an addition to regular imports. Oil imports continue daily from multiple routes. Even if the Strait of Hormuz were completely disrupted, the impact on India would be partial due to its diverse sources. According to government sources, a significant portion of India’s crude oil does not pass through this route.
In the past decade, India’s strategic oil diplomacy has increased the number of supplier countries from 27 to 40, spanning six continents. The era when India’s energy security relied on a single maritime route has ended. Now, supplies come from Russia, West Africa, the Americas, Central Asia, and Middle Eastern routes outside the Gulf region. Thus, when one route faces disruption, it only requires adjustments in sources, not a supply crisis.
Sources indicated that the Hormuz Strait is not the only route for India’s crude oil imports. Approximately 40% of imports pass through this strait, while about 60% come from other routes. This is why Indian consumers have not faced any energy shortages during global crises or pandemics.
Several countries, including Australia and Canada, have also offered additional gas supplies. India continues to seek alternative sources to strengthen its energy security. Recently, India has established new energy supply arrangements with partners like the USA and UAE.
India’s refining infrastructure, with a capacity of 258 MMT per annum, is the fourth largest in the world, exceeding the country’s total domestic consumption of 210 to 230 MMT per annum. Indian refineries are capable of processing various types of crude oil and are not reliant on a single source.
According to sources, this flexibility itself is a security asset that has been developed policy-wise over the past decade. India is also the fifth-largest exporter of refined petroleum products globally.
When Europe imposed sanctions on Russian crude oil, Indian refineries played a crucial role in filling the fuel gap. India has never relied on any country’s permission to purchase Russian oil.
As of February 2026, India continues to import oil from Russia, which remains the country’s largest crude oil supplier. Throughout the three years of the Russia-Ukraine war, India continued to purchase Russian oil despite American and European objections. The increase in imports post-2022 was driven by discounted prices and refinery demand.
Therefore, to claim that any short-term discounts make these purchases “possible” does not reflect reality, as this trade has continued uninterrupted. Sources stated that India is a net exporter of refined petroleum products to the world, which strengthens rather than weakens its energy security.
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NA/Piyush
Agency
“Disclaimer: This news is directly from the agency; our team has made no edits.”
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
