Puri’s remark came amid concerns about impact on Indian crude imports, amid the US-Israel-Iran war. 85 per cent of India’s crude imports is dependent on Middle East
India is the third largest importer, fourth largest refiner, and fifth largest exporter of petroleum products globally, Puri said at a media briefing.
India has ensured both availability and affordability of energy for its population by diversifying its sources. Indian energy companies now have access to energy supplies that are not routed through the Strait of Hormuz. Such cargoes will remain available and help mitigate supplies that may be temporarily affected enroute through the Strait of Hormuz, he said.
The Ministry has established a 24×7 Control Room to continuously monitor the supply and stock position of petroleum products across the country. At present, the Government is reasonably comfortable in terms of stocks, the Minister said.
Safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers remains the highest priority. Based on continuous monitoring, the Government is cautiously optimistic that phased measures can be taken, if required, to further mitigate the situation, he added.
India’s total petroleum crude and product imports reached $173.2 billion in calendar year 2025, according to GTRI.
In 1985, India produced nearly 85% of the oil it consumed. Today, it imports almost 85% — the mirror image of four decades ago, it said.
GTRI analysts argue that reversing this imbalance requires opening new exploration blocks,
reforming contractual frameworks to attract investment, deploying advanced extraction technologies, strengthening strategic reserves and energy infrastructure.
Energy security is no longer just about diplomacy. It is about economic resilience, inflation control, and macroeconomic stability in a volatile world, GTRI said.
