India Weighs Security Assurances Before West Asia Fuel Shipments, Asks Navy To Remain On Standby

Last Updated:March 09, 2026, 19:11 IST

India is looking for alternative options and security assurances for urgent fuel shipments and has asked the Navy to remain on standby to escort ships, sources said.

As the war between the US, Israel and Iran entered its eleventh day, India is now looking for options and security assurances for urgent fuel shipments, as the conflict in West Asia has sent oil prices soaring after major producers cut supplies. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

Top government sources told CNN-News18 that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is in talks with Iran and the United States and sought security assurances, while the Indian Navy is on standby for urgent LPG shipments.

The Strait of Hormuz, which supplies roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, is virtually shut after the US-Israeli strikes on February 28 and Iran’s retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries. A prolonged war could leave businesses and consumers facing weeks or months of higher fuel prices, while suppliers are grappling with damaged facilities and disrupted logistics.

ALSO READ: Should India Be Worried Over Shutdown Of Strait Of Hormuz Amid Israel-Iran War? Not Yet, Say Sources

Why Is India Seeking Security Assurances?

Earlier, government sources said India had crude oil to last for 25 days and is actively exploring alternative sources for importing crude oil, LPG and LNG to ensure energy security. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India had sufficient energy reserves to deal with the ongoing situation.

The Indian government is now making all-out efforts to import LNG from the Gulf region on an urgent basis, and has asked the Navy to be on standby to escort these ships, sources told CNN-News18.

The government has also sought security assurances from both Iran and the United States before moving into the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had earlier said that it would not target any ships from Asian countries in the Strait.

Government sources said the Indian Navy is on standby mode and will escort ships into the Strait of Hormuz once the government receives assurances of protection from Iran and the US. The shipments are expected to take less than a day from the Gulf.

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