Several countries in the subcontinent have approached India seeking additional fuel as energy supplies from the Persian Gulf have been reduced due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.This comes after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed, leaving many countries in South Asia with limited reserves and few alternative supply routes.
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Addressing a press conference, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi is reviewing the requests from several countries.“We have received requests for energy export from some neighboring countries, including diesel from Bangladesh. Domestic availability and production will be taken into consideration before taking any decision,” Jaiswal said.He said similar requests have been received from Sri Lanka and Maldives and are being reviewed. Jaiswal stressed that any decision on supply of petroleum products would be taken into account India’s internal energy needs.Although India has not yet approved additional fuel requests, New Delhi’s position as the world’s fourth-largest refiner gives it scope to respond to the crisis in a way that deepens regional ties and cements its position as a trusted partner in South Asia.Countries which asked for help from IndiaNepalNepal has asked Indian Oil Corporation to increase the monthly supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) amid the ongoing crisis.The deputy director of the state-owned Nepal Oil Corporation told Bloomberg that Kathmandu had requested an additional 3,000 tons of LPG, but was told that only the contracted quantity would be delivered for now.Nepal currently receives about 48,000 tonnes of LPG per month from IOC under its existing agreement.Nepal is completely dependent on India for its fuel supply. Panic buying in the country has led to stocks of LPG cylinders accumulating in homes, forcing authorities to curb distribution.Manoj Kumar Thakur said, “The regular LPG cylinder is 14.2 kg and from today we have decided to reduce it to 7.1 kg.”bangladeshDhaka has also asked India to supply additional diesel over the 180,000 tonnes it gets annually under the existing contract. The government of Bangladesh, which has been in power for only a few weeks, is facing the threat of a severe fuel shortage.Bangladesh, which imports more than 80% of its energy from the Middle East, imposed austerity measures last week, with the newly elected government closing fertilizer plants and banning decorative lighting to save power.The push for additional supplies comes as New Delhi and Dhaka begin to mend already strained ties.“We have requested him to slightly increase the oil supply in view of the time of crisis,” Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmood said after meeting the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka on Wednesday.Sri LankaSri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath held an “emergency meeting” with Russia’s ambassador to Colombo on Friday to discuss oil purchases under the temporary US sanctions exemption, according to a ministry statement.Sri Lanka spent $3.83 billion on fuel imports last year, according to government data, with the majority of shipments coming from India and Singapore.“Sri Lanka does not have enough storage facilities to store the fuel for more than the next few weeks, but sufficient shipments have been confirmed for the end of this month,” S Rajakaruna, chairman of the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, said while speaking to reporters.Ashok Malik, a New Delhi-based partner at The Asia Group, told Bloomberg that India has stepped in in the past to help meet fuel demand.“I am sure this will bring goodwill to India because all countries are struggling,” Malik said.“Although India has strong energy ties with its neighbours, it may not be able to solve all their supply challenges,” Malik said.India imports about 90% of its annual crude oil needs. Amid the crisis, it is looking for alternative supply routes to overcome disruptions.Earlier this week, New Delhi ordered about 30 million barrels of Russian oil after getting a waiver from the US and is in talks with Iran for the safe passage of more than 20 tankers.Earlier on Thursday, a Liberian flagged ship loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port of Ras Tanura also reached Mumbai port via the Strait of Hormuz.The tanker Shenlong Suezmax, reportedly carrying about 135,335 metric tonnes (about 1 million barrels) of crude oil, departed from the Saudi port on March 1 and reached Mumbai, becoming the first India-designated ship to safely navigate the strategic waterway and reach Indian shores amid intense fighting in the Gulf.
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