India has significantly increased imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States amid a supply disruption from key Gulf producers, data shows, highlighting challenges in securing alternative sources as geopolitical tensions persist.

In April, India imported approximately 361,000 tonnes of LPG from the US, marking the highest monthly volume from that source this year, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. This shift comes as imports from traditional suppliers in the Gulf have declined sharply amid ongoing conflicts affecting the region’s export capacity.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), India’s largest LPG supplier, shipped just 163,000 tonnes by April 25, a steep drop from 626,000 tonnes delivered in February before recent unrest. Other major Gulf exporters also recorded reductions: Saudi Arabia supplied 138,000 tonnes, Qatar 87,000 tonnes, and Iran 61,000 tonnes so far this month. Alternative sources have provided only limited relief, with small shipments of 10,000 tonnes from Argentina and 13,000 tonnes from Chile in April.

Industry experts warn that reversing the decline in Gulf supplies in the near term is unlikely without a de-escalation of tensions in West Asia and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint for Gulf energy exports. Younes Azzouzi, petrochemicals manager at Kpler, noted that India historically relies on the Middle Eastern Gulf for about 90% of its LPG imports due to proximity and lower freight costs, making a rapid diversification difficult. He added that efforts to procure LPG from other markets could exacerbate price pressures amid already tight market conditions driven by elevated freight costs and geopolitical uncertainty.

The supply disruptions have already impacted domestic consumption, with India’s LPG use falling 13% year-on-year in March. Household LPG sales declined 8%, while commercial sector sales dropped nearly 48%, according to the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell under the Ministry of Petroleum. The government has prioritized LPG supplies to domestic households, delivering over 5.18 million cylinders on April 25 alone.

To reduce dependency on imported LPG and enhance energy security, the Indian government has accelerated the rollout of piped natural gas (PNG). Since March 2026, approximately 545,000 households have been connected, with infrastructure laid out for an additional 262,000 connections, signifying a push toward alternative energy sources amid ongoing supply challenges.