India’s LNG purchases rise as supply disruptions cut regional volumes by 5.5 million-6 million tonnes monthly amid high costs.
India’s liquefied natural gas imports are increasing despite soaring Asian gas prices, bucking a regional trend of reduced demand. Supply disruptions in March, including a Qatar production shutdown and Strait of Hormuz closure, slashed LNG availability by 5.5 million-6 million tonnes per month, nearly a quarter of pre-crisis exports.
Asian LNG imports dropped to 18.8 million tonnes in April, the lowest since 2020, as other buyers shifted to coal, nuclear, or conservation. India’s resilience contrasts with broader demand destruction, driven by domestic energy needs and long-term contracts.
Prices remain elevated, yet India’s strategic stockpiling and industrial demand sustain purchases, offsetting cost pressures in the short term.