Jaishankar leads India's energy outreach to Gulf countries, Puri in Qatar, Pg3

Key Highlights:

• EAM Jaishankar is in Mauritius for the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, engaging with various nations on regional challenges post the 40-day conflict.
• Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is visiting Qatar, India's largest LNG and LPG source, to prioritize supplies.
• The Strait of Hormuz closure has disrupted LNG and LPG supplies to India, with no LNG tankers arriving since early March.
• India imported 27 million tonnes of LNG in 2024-25, with 11.2 million tonnes (41.4%) from Qatar.

Detailed Insights:

• Jaishankar's discussions include nations from West Asia, maritime vicinity partners, South East Asia, and neighboring countries, addressing challenges after the conflict.
• Puri's visit to Qatar aims to secure LNG and LPG supplies, as Qatar accounts for over two-fifths of India’s LNG imports.
• Disruption in vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz has severely impacted LPG and LNG supplies, leading to cuts in natural gas allocation to certain industries.
• Attacks on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, from where almost all of India’s Qatar LNG imports come, have compounded LNG supply concerns.
• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with US officials to discuss boosting bilateral trade and investment in strategic and emerging technologies.

Key Concepts Involved:

• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): Natural gas converted to liquid form for ease of storage and transportation.
• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): Flammable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as fuel in heating appliances and vehicles.
• Strait of Hormuz: A narrow waterway between Oman and Iran connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean, crucial for global oil and gas supplies.