Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is scheduled to travel to Qatar on April 9 and April 10 to address issues concerning liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies due to disruptions caused by the Iran conflict. The Ministry stated that the visit aims to discuss the situation amidst ongoing challenges in global supply chains. India has been working to ensure sufficient gas availability for households during this period of supply chain stress.
State-run QatarEnergy recently declared force majeure on long-term LNG supply contracts, impacting countries like Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China. Although India was not explicitly named, it is a significant purchaser of LNG from Qatar. The conflict in Iran has led to attacks on Qatar, resulting in damage to infrastructure and a substantial reduction in LNG export capacity. QatarEnergy’s CEO mentioned that repairs could take several years, affecting the country’s revenue and raising concerns about global energy security.
The disruptions are estimated to cost Qatar approximately $20 billion in annual revenue losses, prompting worries among key importers in Europe and Asia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi previously condemned the attacks on energy infrastructure during a conversation with Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The leaders emphasized the importance of safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Indian companies have sought alternative LNG suppliers in the US, Australia, and Russia for industrial purposes as a response to the situation.
In 2025, India imported around 25.5 million tonnes of LNG, with a government target to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s primary energy mix to 15 percent by 2030.
