‘The Situation is Dire’: War on Iran Tightens India's Cooking-Gas Supplies.

The shockwaves of a military engagement being fought nearly 1,864 miles away are now impacting India's kitchens.

As US-Israeli strikes on Iran hinder energy deliveries through the key maritime chokepoint, stocks of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are dwindling across India, compelling restaurants to cut menus, close earlier and in some cases shut down altogether.

Social media is filled with video clips showing queues outside cooking-gas dealers across Indian metros and localities as concerns over fuel supplies spread. Businesses appear the most affected: the sharpest squeeze is in food service establishments.

"Conditions are critical. Kitchen fuel simply is unavailable," says a official of the National Restaurant Association of India.

Most food outlets run either on business-grade gas tanks or pipeline-supplied fuel, and the scarcities are now being noticed across the country. "Many restaurants have shut down - some in northern India, many in the southern region. People are adopting traditional burners and electronic appliances to keep their operations going."

Regional Impact

In a western metro, media reports say up to a significant portion of eateries are already completely or partially closed as cylinder availability dry up. In the southern cities of tech and coastal hubs, some eateries say their cylinder inventory have dwindled with minimal reserves. "We can only make coffee and nothing else - it is truly dismal. Operations will be impacted," says a business operator in Bengaluru.

Restaurant managers are seeking alternatives. "Food options are being cut, some are opening only for dinner and opening only for dinner," an industry representative says, adding that stoppages are varying as supplies wax and wane. "Three restaurants in Delhi were shut yesterday - some have resumed operations. It's a changing landscape."

Retailers report a surge in sales of electric cookers, with some saying they are running out of them.

Government Stance

Yet, the authorities states there is adequate supply.

India has more than 30 crore domestic LPG users and spokespersons say stocks are being prioritized to households as conflict-related stress from the war in the Gulf impact energy markets.

Approximately a majority of India's LPG is imported, and about 90% of those shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow Gulf chokepoint now significantly disrupted by the hostilities.

The oil ministry says that it ordered refineries to boost LPG output for home needs, enhancing domestic production by about a quarter. Commercial stock is being allocated for essential sectors such as medical and academic centers, while distribution will be "just and open".

"Unnecessary hoarding and stockpiling has been caused by misinformation. The regular refill period for household cylinders remains about under three days," says a senior official.

Widening Concern

Now the worry is moving beyond kitchens. On digital platforms, a widely shared video from Chennai shows a long, snaking queue of two-wheelers outside a petrol pump. "The panic is real," the text reads.

According to analysis from industry analysts, concerns about India's broader fuel supplies may be exaggerated.

India imports the overwhelming majority of its crude oil. Around a significant portion of its crude oil imports - about millions of barrels a day - travel through the passage, largely from Gulf countries.

Even if oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are hindered, the gap could be partly made up by higher imports of discounted Russian crude, according to a refinery and oil markets analyst.

Based on vessel tracking and credible market sources, increased Russian crude imports could reach around a significant volume of barrels a day, lessening India's effective shortfall from exposure to the Strait of Hormuz to about 1.6 million barrels a day.

"A large quantity of Russian oil barrels are currently on the water in the Indian Ocean and, with only India and China as major buyers, those barrels remain a ready fallback," an analyst noted.

Kitchen Fuel: The Primary Concern

The key weakness is LPG, experts note.

India consumes roughly 1 million barrels a day, but produces only a minority share domestically, importing the rest - the vast majority through the Strait.

Refineries can adjust processes to squeeze out a bit more LPG, but even a limited rise would only increase domestic supply to about 47-50% of demand, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports.

In short: "Oil import vulnerability can be somewhat alleviated through diversification. Refined product supply remains largely sufficient. Cooking gas supply is the real variable to watch in the coming weeks."

What may be worsening the anxiety on the ground is not just tight supply but erratic supply chains - and the common threat of panic buying.

An industry representative states opportunistic profiteering.

"Suppliers are taking advantage of the situation - illegally trading canisters and selling them at a inflated price. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being stockpiled and auctioned off."

For now, India's energy imports may be cushioned by global trade flows. But in kitchens across the country, the more urgent issue is simple: how to get the next refill.