India’s energy sector moved to calm public concerns on Friday after rumours about fuel shortages circulated widely on social media amid the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
State-run Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) issued SMS alerts to customers across the country, stating that fuel supplies remain adequate and that claims of shortages were "misleading and baseless."
"Dear valued customer, claims of shortage in fuel supply circulating on social media are misleading and baseless. There is adequate availability of fuel in the country. Citizens are assured that there is no need for any concern," BPCL said in its message to consumers.
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The clarification comes as tensions in West Asia have intensified following US-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory missile and drone attacks by Tehran across the region.
Government says India’s energy supplies remain stable
Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri also addressed the issue, stating that India’s energy supplies remain secure despite the geopolitical uncertainty.
"There is no shortage of energy in India and there is no cause of worry for our energy consumers,” Puri wrote on X, adding that the government continues to prioritise the availability of affordable and reliable fuel.
Government sources quoted by ANI described India’s oil, petroleum products and LPG supplies as being in a "very comfortable position."
Officials said India has significantly diversified its crude oil import sources over the past few years, reducing dependence on any single region. Since 2022, imports from Russia have increased sharply. In February, around 20 per cent of India’s total crude imports which is roughly 1.04 million barrels per day, came from Russia, according to government data.
Refineries increase output as global oil routes face disruption
Authorities have also asked major refineries and LPG facilities across the country to increase output to ensure steady supplies.
State-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) also dismissed claims of fuel shortages, describing them as baseless and urging citizens not to rush to petrol pumps.
"Stocks are sufficient and distribution networks are functioning normally," the company said, asking consumers to rely on official information. Meanwhile, Indian Oil Corp has booked some crude cargoes from the Red Sea port of Yanbu, a company source told Reuters, as disruptions to Middle Eastern energy shipments force companies to look for alternative supply routes.
The conflict has already affected oil and natural gas infrastructure in parts of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Iraq, while the Strait of Hormuz which is a key global oil route, remains under severe disruption.
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Saudi Arabia has reportedly increased shipments from the Red Sea as an alternative export route.
India diversifies energy imports to reduce risks
Officials said India’s diversified energy strategy has helped cushion the impact of disruptions in global supply chains. In addition to crude imports, public sector energy companies have also expanded LPG purchases from the United States. In November 2025, Indian firms signed a one-year agreement to import about 2.2 million tonnes of LPG annually from the US Gulf Coast in 2026.
Government sources also said there are no immediate plans to raise retail petrol or diesel prices, and fuel stocks in the country continue to increase.
