Middle East tensions: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Saturday stated that there is no crisis regarding petroleum products in India, even though the ongoing conflict in West Asia is posing challenges to global energy markets.
Shekhawat stated that the prevailing war-like situations in the Middle East have raised concerns for several countries, noting that some neighboring nations are facing severe disruptions.
“There is no crisis regarding petroleum products in India… the war-like situation in the Middle East has posed a challenge before all countries. Speaking of our neighbouring countries, an emergency-like situation prevails in Pakistan, while schools and colleges have been closed in Bangladesh,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
Crude oil import from 40 countries
Highlighting the government’s strategy to ensure energy security, Shekhawat stated that India has significantly diversified its sources of crude oil imports.
“We used to import crude oil from a total of 27 countries earlier; now the government has signed agreements with 40 countries for crude oil imports. We have diversified our supply lines,” he said, adding that while the gas supply has been disrupted, the government has taken necessary steps to keep the supply going.
He also stated that protocols have been implemented to curb the black marketing and hoarding of petroleum products.
Responding to criticism from the Congress party regarding this situation, he accused them of attempting to stir up an unnecessary controversy over the issue. “The Congress has no issue, that’s why they are trying to make it an issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Petroleum stated on Friday that the supply of LPG to households across India continues without any interruption, and a steady supply is also being ensured for hospitals and educational institutions.
“Uninterrupted supply to domestic households has been ensured. Similarly, LPG supplies are also being provided to hospitals and educational institutions. Domestic production of LPG has increased by 30% as of today; compared to March 5th, our refineries are currently producing 30% more LPG. Regarding commercial cylinders, these have been placed at the disposal of the State Governments to facilitate priority distribution. We are requesting the State Governments to determine the priority criteria and ensure that these commercial cylinders effectively reach the intended consumers,” they said.
However, the energy issue has stirred up a political storm, coming just a day after Congress MP Rahul Gandhi intensified his criticism of the Central Government. Gandhi claimed that India’s energy security has been jeopardised due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and external geopolitical pressures.
“Today, America says, we can purchase gas and oil from Russia. America will say if we can buy from Iran, Iraq, or anyone else. The implication is that our Energy Security has been compromised… The man whom you appointed as Oil Minister, whose name appears in the “Epstein Files”–he is a friend of Epstein. Money belonging to George Soros has flowed into his daughter’s company,” Gandhi added.
This incident has emerged amidst the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which began on February 28. This conflict has witnessed fighting between Israel and the United States on one side, and Iran on the other. Due to the ongoing conflict in the region, a critically important route for global energy supplies—the Strait of Hormuz—has reportedly become inactive, thereby impacting the global energy supply.
With agency inputs
