The two-week ceasefire window in the West Asia has helped New Delhi to intensify its energy security efforts in the Gulf region. Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri is visiting India's biggest natural gas supplier Qatar, while external affairs minister S Jaishankar is heading to oil-rich United Arab Emirates.
The high-level engagements with energy-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are of significance as India and GCC are currently negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA). Additionally, one of the six GCC nations have invested in India's 5.33 million tonne-strategic reserve.
India's hydrocarbon imports from the UAE were worth $24.74 billion in FY25. Qatar is the largest supplier of both LNG (11.19 million metric tonnes worth $6.39 billion in 2024-25) and LPG (4.89 million metric tonnes worth $3.21 billion in 2024-25).
The ministers' visits will help shore up the country's energy security and provide an opportunity to assess the impact of the West Asia conflict on energy infrastructure in both countries.
