A wake-up call on India’s energy vulnerability

The war in Iran may not be a world war, but its impact is being felt across the globe.

Just two weeks into the conflict, ripple effects are already visible in trade routes, travel patterns, energy prices, geopolitical alignments and everyday living costs. Far from the battlefield, residents in Kolkata are queuing for gas, tourists are leaving Cyprus, and farmers across the Northern Hemisphere are growing anxious about the upcoming spring planting season.

The crisis is also reshaping geopolitics. For Russia, it appears to be an opportunity, while for China, the implications are less favourable—at least for now.

Back home in India, the effects are beginning to reach household kitchens. Supply constraints have tightened deliveries of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), forcing many households and food businesses to rethink how they cook. In several areas, hot meals and even tea are being replaced with simpler options such as fast food or lemon water as people try to stretch limited fuel supplies.

With cooking gas prices rising and concerns over supply disruptions mounting, households are increasingly looking for reliable alternatives. While LPG remains the primary cooking fuel in most urban homes, a number of practical options can help keep kitchens running during shortages.

Government data shows that LPG consumption in India has grown steadily as families move away from traditional fuels like firewood and coal. Initiatives promoting cleaner cooking fuels have expanded access nationwide. However, this also means that even temporary supply disruptions can quickly affect daily routines in both homes and small food businesses.

Among the most viable alternatives is the induction cooktop. These appliances use electricity to heat cookware directly and can handle a range of cooking tasks, from boiling to frying. For households with stable electricity, induction cooking offers a dependable backup.

Electric rice cookers and pressure cookers can efficiently prepare staples such as rice, lentils, soups and steamed vegetables without LPG. Many households already use these appliances, making them a practical substitute during shortages.

Electric kettles, though primarily used for boiling water, can also be used to prepare instant noodles, soups, boiled eggs and beverages, helping reduce dependence on LPG for basic needs.

Microwave ovens can further ease the burden by reheating leftovers and preparing quick meals. Ready-to-eat and frozen foods can be managed easily, offering short-term relief from gas dependency.

Meanwhile, the Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of global hydrocarbon trade. In 2024, nearly 20 million barrels of oil per day passed through this corridor, about 20 percent of global petroleum consumption, making it one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. LPG traffic through the route has been severely disrupted due to the ongoing crisis, with cargo movements slowing and importers scrambling for alternatives. For a country like India, where a significant portion of LPG supply depends on seaborne imports, this global disruption has quickly translated into a domestic allocation challenge.

There is, however, some relief in sight. India is expected to receive two LPG cargoes totalling 80,000 tonnes via the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days.

Industry bodies such as the National Restaurant Association of India have urged authorities to prioritise restoration of supply to ensure uninterrupted fuel access, particularly for food businesses.