New Delhi, June 23 -- India has steadily increased cooking gas purchases from the US, as the government intensifies efforts to diversify imports after the West Asia conflict disrupted supplies and prompted emergency curbs on fuel sales.

The US emerged as India's top liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplier in March, selling 435,081 tonnes, as the widening West Asia war disrupted shipping through the crucial Strait of Hormuz and triggered an unprecedented global energy crisis.

Since then, Washington has remained New Delhi's top LPG supplier, with India often turning to spot purchases of US cargoes, which come at a premium to traditional West Asian supplies.

So far this month (as of 19 June), the US has supplied over 497,000 tonnes of LPG,...