Qatar to India: Energy flows won’t falter

New Delhi: Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Energy Minister, has reaffirmed that his country will remain a “reliable energy supplier” to India during talks with Hardeep Singh Puri in Doha, even as West Asia faces prolonged geopolitical tensions.

Puri, on a two-day visit from April 9–10, conveyed a message of solidarity from Narendra Modi to Qatar’s leadership following the regional conflict. Both sides welcomed the two-week ceasefire announced on April 8 and stressed the need for restoring stability in global energy markets.

They underlined the importance of uninterrupted energy flows, freedom of navigation, and smooth global commerce to sustain supply chains amid disruptions. The visit comes as India seeks to secure energy supplies after escalating tensions severely impacted fuel trade flows. Qatar is India’s largest supplier of LNG, accounting for about 45 per cent of imports, and provides roughly 20 per cent of LPG.

The crisis intensified after US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 triggered retaliation across the Gulf. Qatar’s major LNG export facility was hit, forcing a shutdown and declaration of force majeure on gas exports, including shipments to India.

India depends on imports for nearly half of its natural gas needs and about two-thirds of its LPG consumption, making it particularly vulnerable to supply shocks. The six-week conflict has significantly disrupted Gulf energy exports, leading to supply shortages and rising prices in India.

Talks between the two ministers focused on restoring shipments, reviewing existing agreements, and exploring ways to deepen bilateral energy cooperation. Puri also conveyed greetings to Qatar’s leadership, including the Amir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Both sides expressed hope for an early return to peace and agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks. Al-Kaabi reiterated Qatar’s commitment to strengthening long-term energy ties with India.