New Delhi, March 8 -- India currently maintains a combined energy buffer of over 250 million barrels of crude oil and refined petroleum products, equivalent to approximately 4,000 crore litres, according to a government report. This stockpile provides seven to eight weeks of coverage across the full supply chain, countering claims that the country holds only 25 days of reserves. The reserves are distributed across underground strategic caverns in Mangalore, Padur, and Visakhapatnam, as well as above-ground tanks, pipelines, and offshore vessels.

The report states that India's energy procurement remains "anchored in national interest," with sourcing diversified across 40 countries compared to 27 a decade ago. While the Strait of Hormuz is...