Refining relations: India pumps up goodwill as neighbours seek emergency fuel | India News – The Times of India

Several countries in the subcontinent have reached out to India seeking additional fuel as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East curtails energy supplies from the Persian Gulf.This comes after the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has left several countries in South Asia with limited stockpiles and few alternative supply routes.While addressing a press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that New Delhi is reviewing requests from several nations.“We have received requests from some neighbouring countries for energy exports, including diesel from Bangladesh. Domestic availability and production will be factored in before any decision is taken,” Jaiswal said.He added that similar requests from Sri Lanka and the Maldives have also been received and are under review. Jaiswal emphasised that any decision on supplying petroleum products will take into account India’s internal energy needs.While India has yet to approve the additional fuel requests, New Delhi’s position as the world’s fourth-largest refiner gives it room to respond to the crisis in a way that deepens regional ties and reinforces its standing as a dependable partner in South Asia.Countries that sought India’s helpNepalNepal has asked Indian Oil Corporation to increase its monthly supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid the ongoing crisis.Kathmandu requested an additional 3,000 tons of LPG but was told that only the contracted volumes would be delivered for now, the deputy director of the state-run Nepal Oil Corporation told Bloomberg.Nepal currently receives about 48,000 tons of LPG a month from IOC under its existing agreement.Nepal relies entirely on India for its fuel supplies. Panic buying in the country has led households to stockpile cooking gas cylinders, prompting authorities to curb distribution.“The regular LPG cylinder is 14.2 kilograms, and from today we have decided to reduce it to 7.1 kilograms,” said Manoj Kumar Thakur.BangladeshDhaka has also asked India to supply additional diesel beyond the 180,000 tons it receives annually under an existing contract. Bangladesh’s government, in office for only a few weeks, is facing the prospect of acute fuel shortages.Bangladesh, which imports more than 80% of its energy from the Middle East, imposed austerity measures last week, with the newly elected government shutting fertiliser plants and curbing decorative lighting to conserve power.The push for additional supplies comes as New Delhi and Dhaka begin to mend previously strained relations.“We have requested them to increase the oil supply slightly considering the crunch time,” said Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood after meeting the Indian high commissioner in Dhaka on Wednesday.Sri LankaSri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath also held an “emergency meeting” on Friday with Russia’s ambassador in Colombo to discuss oil purchases under a temporary US sanctions waiver, according to a ministry statement.Sri Lanka spent $3.83 billion on fuel imports last year, according to government data, with most shipments arriving from India and Singapore.“Sri Lanka does not have enough storage facilities to store fuel beyond the next few weeks, but there are sufficient confirmed shipments till the end of this month,” said S Rajakaruna, chairman of the state-run Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, while speaking to reporters.Ashok Malik, a New Delhi–based partner at The Asia Group, told Bloomberg that India has stepped in to help meet fuel demand in the past.“I am sure it will get India goodwill as all countries are struggling,” Malik said.“While India’s energy ties with its neighbours are robust, it may not be able to resolve all of their supply challenges,” Malik added.India imports nearly 90% of its annual crude requirements. Amid the crisis, it has been seeking alternative supply routes to offset the disruptions.Earlier this week, New Delhi ordered about 30 million barrels of Russian oil after obtaining a waiver from the US and has been in negotiations with Iran for safe passage for more than 20 tankers.Earlier on Thursday, a Liberian-flagged ship loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port of Ras Tanura also arrived at the port of Mumbai via the Strait of Hormuz.The tanker Shenlong Suezmax, allegedly carrying approximately 135,335 metric tonnes (roughly 1 million barrels) of crude oil, had departed from the Saudi port on March 1 and reached Mumbai, becoming the first India-destined vessel to safely navigate the strategic waterway and reach Indian shores amid the intense fighting in the Gulf.