India Has Adequate Fuel Reserves, No Need for Panic: Rajnath Singh Chairs High-Level West Asia Crisis Review
Government Says India Holds 60 Days of Crude Oil and Natural Gas Stock, 45 Days of LPG Reserve
By Antara Tripathy | IBG NEWS
Rajnath Singh on Sunday chaired the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia in New Delhi to assess the impact of the ongoing regional conflict on India’s energy security, supply chains, and economic stability.
During the high-level review meeting held at Kartavya Bhawan-2, senior Union Ministers and officials evaluated the latest developments in West Asia and discussed measures to minimise disruption to Indian citizens and industries.
The government assured that India currently faces no shortage of petroleum products despite continuing global volatility. Officials informed the ministers that the country presently maintains:
- 60 days of crude oil reserves,
- 60 days of natural gas reserves,
- and 45 days of LPG rolling stock.
India’s foreign exchange reserves were also reported to remain strong at approximately 703 billion US dollars.
According to the government, India continues to fully meet domestic fuel demand while maintaining its position as the world’s third-largest oil refiner and fourth-largest exporter of petroleum products, supplying more than 150 countries globally.
However, officials acknowledged that rising international crude oil prices are placing heavy financial pressure on the country. Oil marketing companies are reportedly absorbing losses nearing ₹1,000 crore per day, while under-recoveries in the first quarter of 2026 have approached ₹2 lakh crore to shield Indian consumers from sudden price increases.
The government appealed to citizens not to panic or rush to fuel stations, stressing that supplies of essential commodities remain stable and adequate. Shri Rajnath Singh urged ministries and state governments to work together to promote responsible fuel consumption, energy efficiency, and public awareness.
The meeting also reviewed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent public appeal encouraging citizens to:
- reduce petrol and diesel consumption,
- use public transport and carpooling,
- avoid unnecessary foreign travel,
- support domestic tourism,
- and limit non-essential gold purchases.
Farmers were additionally encouraged to reduce chemical fertiliser usage by 50 percent, adopt natural farming practices, and increase the use of solar-powered irrigation systems.
The Defence Minister emphasised that India’s primary focus during the ongoing geopolitical tensions is to ensure uninterrupted energy flow, economic stability, and secure maritime trade routes. He also called for stronger strategic preparedness, crisis anticipation, and long-term energy diversification through renewable energy expansion and improved reserve planning.
The meeting was attended by several Union Ministers, including:
- Jagat Prakash Nadda,
- Hardeep Singh Puri,
- Ashwini Vaishnaw,
- Kiren Rijiju,
- Sarbananda Sonowal,
- and Jitendra Singh.
The government also highlighted recent economic support measures for industries and MSMEs, including the approval of the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) 5.0 with an additional credit flow target of ₹2.55 lakh crore.
On the agriculture front, the government stated that fertiliser availability remains robust, with national fertiliser stock levels significantly higher than the previous year. Current total fertiliser stock reportedly stands at 199.65 lakh tonnes compared to 178.58 lakh tonnes during the same period last year.
Officials said the government’s current conservation measures are intended not as emergency rationing, but as long-term strategic preparedness in case the international crisis continues for an extended period.
Published by IBG NEWS
Author: Antara Tripathy with inputs from PIB Delhi
