Hormuz Strait holds India's gas lifeline hostage, but relief is coming, says Union minister Suresh Gopi

As the Iran-US-Israel conflict enters its thirteenth day, Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stepped forward on Thursday with a message of cautious reassurance, even as the LPG crisis tightens its grip on millions of Indian households, restaurants, and essential services.

The crisis has a clear trigger. With the Strait of Hormuz closed since March 1, global LPG supply chains have been severely disrupted. India imports roughly 67 per cent of its LPG requirements, with about 90 per cent of those imports transiting through the Strait. War-risk insurance premiums for vessels have surged by more than 1,000 per cent in some cases, prompting insurers to withdraw cover entirely.

Major cities including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata are facing a severe commercial LPG shortage , forcing restaurants to cut menus, reduce hours, or temporarily shut . In Hyderabad, cylinders are selling on the black market for ₹3,000–₹4,000 . The shortage, linked to West Asia supply disruptions , has prompted hospitality associations to seek urgent government intervention , while households face booking delays.

Addressing reporters, Gopi was candid about what the government can and cannot do. "We, as a ministry, feel the situation is under control. However, we have no right to control several technical aspects outside the country," he said. He confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has personally engaged with foreign governments seeking exemptions. "The Prime Minister has spoken to all countries regarding how the Hormuz Strait issue has affected lives and sought exemptions. I am not giving the exact data, but ways are opening for us to get more LPG," he said.

On prices, he defended the existing mechanism. "The whole system is moving perfectly ahead," he said, adding that petroleum companies as public sector undertakings hold the authority to fix prices within the established framework.

The government has responded on multiple fronts. Refineries have been directed to ramp up domestic LPG production, a mandatory 25-day gap between refills has been introduced to prevent hoarding, and India is securing additional LPG from ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) of the UAE and Algeria's Sonatrach through non-Hormuz routes. Hospitals, crematoriums, and essential services remain the top priority for supply allocation.

Gopi was equally firm on the question of military intervention. "The Hormuz Strait is strategically critical for us. We cannot go to war with other countries over it," he said. On the prospect of public protests, he urged calm. "There might be strikes in protest against the crisis. But the entire world would have to go on strike in this critical situation. During times of crisis, people should exercise self-restraint, as seen during the COVID period and wartime situations."

His closing message was one of resolve."Attempts are being made to overcome it. It will come under control."For now, India watches the Strait, and waits.