New Delhi, March 21 -- With the ongoing conflict in West Asia entering its fourth week, supply chain disruptions, particularly through critical routes like the Strait of Hormuz, have impacted India's cooking gas availability.

Even as shortages were reported in parts of the country, the government has continued to reassure the public that domestic reserves of crude and refined fuel are sufficient to handle current demand.

India remains particularly exposed to global energy shocks as the world's third-largest oil consumer, with heavy dependence on West Asian suppliers. Countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia account for a substantial share of its import as over 40% of crude imports and 90% of of its LPG imports are sourced from conflict-hit...