West Asia Crisis Threatens India's Energy Security: Experts Warn of Multiple Transportation Routes and Logistical Options

India's reliance on imported primary energy is a major concern as the West Asia crisis threatens global energy supplies. According to data, India's overall dependence on imported primary energy stood at around 42% in 2024-25, with crude oil import dependence at about 89% and natural gas dependence nearly 49%. The country imported approximately 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil in 2025, with around 48% sourced from the Gulf region.

Rajeev Agarwal, a senior research consultant at the Chintan Research Foundation, said that India will need to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to safeguard its energy security. This includes not only finding alternative suppliers but also multiple transportation routes and logistical options to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies during regional disruptions.

Cauvery Ganapathy, climate and energy fellow at the Observer Research Foundation Middle East, suggested that India could temporarily reroute Gulf-origin crude through the Mediterranean or use cargoes already at sea through spot trading, swaps, and other arrangements. However, she cautioned that this approach has limitations in terms of available volumes and competition for it.

Mannat Jaspal, climate and energy director at ORF Middle East, emphasized the need for stronger strategic buffers through Strategic Petroleum Reserves and commercial inventories. India's agreement with the UAE to increase crude storage capacity in its strategic reserves is a step in this direction.