India Assures No Petrol Diesel Shortage Amid Iran-Israel Conflict: Boosts Domestic Crude Oil Production
New Delhi, June 19, 2025: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, has reassured the nation that India faces no shortage of petrol or diesel despite escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The minister’s statement comes at a time when global oil markets are volatile due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a region critical to global energy supplies.
Speaking to the media, Puri emphasized India’s robust energy security measures, stating, “I want to make it absolutely clear that there is no shortage of petrol and diesel in the country. People do not need to worry.” He further highlighted that there is no global shortage of crude oil at present, alleviating concerns about potential supply disruptions.
In addition to relying on imports, India is actively increasing its domestic crude oil production. “Additionally, India is also producing crude oil domestically. Our output is growing,” Puri noted, underscoring the government’s efforts to enhance energy self-reliance. He pointed to promising developments in the Andaman region, where exploration activities could lead to significant oil and gas discoveries, potentially marking a “Guyana moment” for India.
The minister credited the Modi government’s strategic vision for diversifying India’s crude oil import sources, increasing the number of suppliers from 27 to 40. This diversification, coupled with substantial domestic reserves, ensures stability in fuel supply. “Under the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we have diversified our import basket substantially and are comfortably placed to meet our fuel supply needs,” Puri said in a post on X.
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has also built strategic petroleum reserves to cushion against global price spikes or supply disruptions. Facilities in Pudur, Visakhapatnam, and Mangaluru collectively store over 5 million metric tonnes of crude oil, with another reserve under construction at Chandikhol.
Puri also highlighted the stability in fuel prices, noting that India has reduced petrol and diesel prices on three occasions—November 2021, May 2022, and March 2024—despite global uncertainties. “In the last three years, prices have not increased but have decreased,” he assured, projecting continued price stability.
The minister’s remarks have been echoed on social media, with posts on X praising the Modi government’s proactive measures. One user noted, “India now has 40 crude oil suppliers, reducing dependency on any single nation,” reflecting public confidence in the government’s energy strategy.
As global oil prices fluctuate, with Brent crude recently spiking to $78 per barrel due to the Iran-Israel conflict, India’s diversified supply chain and growing domestic production provide a strong buffer. The government’s focus on balancing availability, affordability, and sustainability continues to guide its energy policy, ensuring that the common man is shielded from global volatility.
The Modi government’s efforts to ramp up exploration and production, particularly in untapped sedimentary basins, signal a long-term commitment to energy self-sufficiency. With ongoing initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, which has provided over 10.33 crore LPG connections to poor households, the government is also expanding access to clean energy across rural India.
As the Israel-Iran tensions continue to unfold, India remains well-prepared to navigate the challenges of the global energy market, ensuring that its citizens face no disruptions at the fuel pumps.
