The United States has become India’s largest source of liquefied petroleum gas, signaling a notable change in the country’s energy import strategy. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on August 7 that American supplies now account for approximately 67 percent of India’s LPG imports.
The development represents a significant change from India’s earlier plans. According to Puri, the government had initially decided to obtain about 10 percent of its LPG requirements from the United States. That decision was made as part of India’s independent energy strategy and was not prompted by concerns about potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The choice of American LPG had initially attracted attention because India had access to suppliers located considerably closer to its shores. However, the country’s import landscape has changed considerably in recent months, with the United States now occupying the top position among LPG suppliers.
Puri linked the shift to India’s broader effort to build a more resilient energy system. Rather than relying heavily on a limited group of conventional suppliers or sources, the government is pursuing a diversified approach intended to reduce exposure to international disruptions and sudden changes in global energy markets.
As part of that strategy, India has launched the Samudra Manthan mission, backed by an investment of approximately $10.1 billion, to expand exploration for hydrocarbons in deep-sea areas. The initiative is designed to encourage greater domestic exploration and production while supporting India’s longer-term objective of improving energy self-reliance.
The petroleum minister described the program as an important investment in the country’s future energy requirements. Expanding domestic exploration could help India increase its own resource base and strengthen its standing in the international energy market.
At the same time, India’s energy policy is increasingly moving beyond conventional hydrocarbons. Puri pointed to measures including expanded infrastructure, strategic reserves, alternative fuels and stronger relationships with reliable international partners.
The government is also working to improve the country’s ability to absorb external shocks that could affect energy supplies. The growing role of US LPG imports is therefore part of a wider strategy focused on flexibility, diversification and supply security.
With global energy markets continuing to face geopolitical and logistical uncertainties, India’s evolving sourcing pattern underscores its effort to build multiple supply options while simultaneously increasing domestic production capabilities.
