India, March 12 -- Almost a fourth of India's natural gas requirements has been impacted by force majeure conditions enforced by foreign suppliers because of the West Asia conflict and the government is procuring supplies through alternative routes to overcome the shortfall, senior officials said on Wednesday.

Nearly 50% of India's oil imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway effectively shut by Iran following the start of its conflict with Israel and the US. Fuel and gas prices have surged, heightening worries in India, which depends on imports to meet around 85% of its energy needs. "Our total consumption [of natural gas] per day currently is about 189 million metric standard cubic metres a day (MMSCMD). Out of thi...