South Asian neighbours seek extra fuel supplies from India amid crisis
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Several South Asian countries have asked India for additional fuel supplies as the war in West Asia disrupts shipments from the Persian Gulf and raises concerns about regional shortages.
India, a major exporter of refined petroleum products to neighbouring countries, confirmed it is reviewing requests from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.
Speaking at a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the requests were being examined while taking into account India’s own energy requirements and available supplies.
Bangladesh, whose new government has been in office for only a few weeks, has warned that prolonged disruption could lead to fuel shortages. The country has asked India to supply additional diesel beyond the 180,000 tonnes it currently receives annually under an existing agreement.
Nepal has also requested higher deliveries of liquefied petroleum gas from Indian Oil Corporation, India’s largest refiner. The country sought an additional 3,000 tonnes of LPG per month but has been told that shipments will remain limited to contracted volumes. According to Nepal Oil Corporation official Manoj Kumar Thakur, Nepal currently receives about 48,000 tonnes of LPG each month from India.
Energy supply concerns have intensified after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments. The disruption has left governments across South Asia grappling with limited reserves and few alternative supply routes.
Analysts say India’s position as one of the world’s largest refiners could enable it to support neighbouring countries while strengthening regional ties. Ashok Malik of The Asia Group said providing assistance during the crisis could help India build goodwill across the region, reported Bloomberg.
Nepal has already seen panic buying of cooking gas cylinders, prompting authorities to halve the standard cylinder size to manage supplies. Bangladesh has introduced austerity measures, including shutting fertiliser plants and limiting decorative lighting to conserve energy.
Sri Lanka is also exploring alternative supplies, with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath holding emergency talks with Russia’s ambassador in Colombo over potential oil purchases. Meanwhile, India has ordered about 30 million barrels of oil from Russia and is negotiating with Iran to ensure safe passage for more than 20 oil tankers.