Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi announced on March 12, 2026, that efforts are being made to manage the LPG crisis in India, emphasizing that new avenues for securing additional supply are emerging. In a press conference in Thrissur, Mr. Gopi referenced discussions held in Parliament the previous day by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri regarding the ongoing LPG issue. Due to diplomatic sensitivities, specific details about supply routes through the Hormuz Strait were withheld. Mr. Gopi highlighted that the Prime Minister has engaged with multiple countries to discuss the impacts of the Hormuz Strait situation and to seek exemptions, noting that while he could not disclose exact figures, optimism exists about increasing LPG availability. He indicated that priority for LPG distribution would be given to emergency services such as hospitals and crematoriums.
In a related economic context, oil prices experienced a significant increase of over 9% on the same day, exceeding $100 per barrel, following renewed Iranian attacks on infrastructure in West Asia. This surge in oil prices occurred despite a record stockpile release by the International Energy Agency, with Brent crude rising 9.3% to $100.50 and West Texas Intermediate climbing 8.8% to $94.92 early in the morning hours of March 12, 2026.