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India's Energy Security

Import Dependence and Strategic Vulnerabilities

India is one of the world's largest consumers of energy, importing approximately 85% of its crude oil and 60% of its LPG demand. This structural import dependence creates acute geopolitical vulnerabilities, particularly regarding sea lane chokepoints.

Key details
  • The Strait of Hormuz is a 21-mile-wide waterway between Iran and Oman, through which approximately 20% of global crude oil, 20% of LNG, and 20% of LPG flows.
  • India sources 45–50% of its crude oil and over 60% of its LPG from the Persian Gulf (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq).
  • India's strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) are maintained at three sites — Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur — with a combined capacity of approximately 5.33 million metric tonnes (about 9.5 days of import cover).
  • India's National Gas Grid (currently about 24,000 km) and city gas distribution networks provide some buffer through CNG and piped natural gas (PNG), which are less dependent on imports.
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Tracked since February 25, 2026 · last seen July 22, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

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