In response to supply disruptions from West Asia, India has ordered its oil refiners to prioritize and maximize the production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This decision comes at a time when the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are threatening the country's access to vital energy resources. The Indian government has instructed domestic oil companies to utilize available propane and butane resources to ensure that there is no shortage of LPG in the country.

India is the second-largest importer of LPG globally, having consumed approximately 33.15 million metric tons of the fuel last year. The country's imports account for nearly two-thirds of its total demand, with West Asia supplying about 85 to 90 percent of this need. As such, the government’s recent orders are crucial for maintaining a steady supply of LPG to meet the energy needs of its population, which exceeds 330 million people depending on this resource.

The directives from the government to oil refiners include ensuring maximum utilization of available LPG, propane, and butane for production. Producers have also been instructed to make these resources available to government refineries such as Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation for domestic distribution. This proactive measure is aimed at preventing any potential crises in fuel availability as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.