India’s West Asia Dilemma — SPR at 64% Amid Gulf Crisis
🗞️ Why in News PM Modi addressed Parliament during the Budget Session on the escalating West Asia conflict (now in its fourth week), while data revealed India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) are only 64% filled — 3.37 million tonnes out of 5.33 million tonnes capacity — raising energy security concerns amid potential Strait of Hormuz disruptions.
PM Modi’s Five Diplomatic Signals
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Parliamentary statement was carefully calibrated to balance multiple competing interests:
1. Strategic Autonomy
India deliberately avoided condemning any specific party — neither the US/Israeli actions nor expressing condolences for the Iranian leadership. This reflects India’s long-standing policy of strategic autonomy in West Asia, maintaining relationships with all sides.
2. Diaspora Protection as Priority
- 3,75,000+ Indians evacuated since the conflict began
- 1,000 Indians evacuated from Iran (including 700+ medical students)
- 700+ Indian seafarers stuck on approximately 22 ships in the Strait of Hormuz
- Indian missions in Gulf countries operating on emergency protocols
3. Energy Diversification
India has expanded energy import sources from 27 to 41 countries over the past 11 years, reducing single-source dependency. Russia has emerged as a major crude supplier since 2022.
4. Maritime Concerns
The Strait of Hormuz — through which ~20% of global energy supply transits — is the choke point. Any blockade or military action there would directly impact India’s crude oil and LPG imports.
5. Diplomatic Solution
The PM emphasised “dialogue and diplomacy are the only solutions” — positioning India as a potential mediator while protecting its strategic interests.
India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve — A Hidden Vulnerability
India’s SPR programme, managed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a subsidiary of the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB), maintains underground rock cavern storage at three locations:
Current SPR Status
| Facility | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh | 1.33 million tonnes | Operational |
| Mangaluru, Karnataka | 1.50 million tonnes | Operational (includes ADNOC stored crude) |
| Padur, Karnataka | 2.50 million tonnes | Operational |
| Total | 5.33 million tonnes | 3.37 MT filled (64%) |
How Many Days Does This Cover?
- SPR alone: ~9.5 days of India’s crude oil consumption
- SPR + commercial stocks: ~74 days total
- IEA benchmark: 90 days (India falls short by ~16 days)
Why Is It Only 64% Full?
- High crude prices during 2023-24 made strategic purchases expensive
- Prioritisation of spot market purchases for immediate refining needs
- Budget constraints for large-scale strategic stock-building
- The Mangaluru facility includes crude stored by ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) under a commercial agreement — 7,50,000 tonnes of this can be used by ADNOC for commercial sales
India’s Energy Dependency — The Numbers
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| India’s rank as crude consumer | 3rd globally (after US, China) |
| Crude import dependence | ~88% |
| LPG import dependence | ~60% |
| Natural gas import dependence | ~50% |
| Annual crude import bill (2024-25) | ~$150 billion |
| Top crude suppliers | Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Russia, UAE, Kuwait |
Expansion Plans
Recognising the vulnerability, India has approved new SPR facilities:
| Proposed Facility | Capacity | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Chandikhol, Odisha | 4.0 million tonnes | Under construction |
| Padur Phase 2, Karnataka | 2.5 million tonnes | Approved |
| Bikaner, Rajasthan | 3.0 million tonnes | Proposed |
| Rajkot, Gujarat | 3.0 million tonnes | Proposed |
| Total new capacity | 12.5 million tonnes |
Once all facilities are operational, India’s SPR capacity would rise to 17.83 million tonnes (~28 days of crude consumption from SPR alone).
India’s Evacuation Track Record
India has a proven record of large-scale evacuations from conflict zones:
| Operation | Year | Location | Indians Evacuated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait Airlift | 1990 | Kuwait/Iraq | 1,76,000 (largest air evacuation in history) |
| Operation Sukoon | 2006 | Lebanon | 2,280 |
| Operation Safe Homecoming | 2011 | Libya | 15,400 |
| Operation Rahat | 2015 | Yemen | 4,640 Indians + 960 foreigners |
| Vande Bharat Mission | 2020 | Global (COVID) | 67 lakh+ |
| Operation Kaveri | 2023 | Sudan | 4,000+ |
| Current (2026) | 2026 | West Asia | 3,75,000+ (ongoing) |
The Strait of Hormuz Factor
The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most important oil choke point:
- Width: ~33 km (navigable channel: 3 km each way)
- Daily crude transit: ~20 million barrels
- Share of global seaborne oil: ~20%
- Countries bordering: Iran and Oman
- India’s exposure: Massive — most Gulf crude reaches India through this strait
Any disruption to Hormuz traffic would immediately spike global crude prices and force India to dip into its already thin SPR buffer.
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: ISPRL, SPR locations and capacities, Strait of Hormuz, IEA 90-day benchmark, I2U2 Group Mains GS-II: India’s West Asia policy, strategic autonomy, diaspora protection Mains GS-III: Energy security, SPR infrastructure, crude import dependence
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Strategic Petroleum Reserves (India):
- Managing agency: ISPRL (Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited)
- Under: OIDB (Oil Industry Development Board), Ministry of Petroleum
- Total capacity: 5.33 million tonnes (3 facilities)
- Locations: Visakhapatnam (AP), Mangaluru (Karnataka), Padur (Karnataka)
- Current fill: 3.37 MT (64%)
- Days coverage (SPR alone): ~9.5 days
- Total coverage (SPR + commercial): ~74 days
- IEA benchmark: 90 days
ADNOC Agreement:
- Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
- Stores crude at Mangaluru facility
- 7,50,000 tonnes available for ADNOC commercial use
- India gets first right of refusal during emergencies
Expansion Plans:
- Chandikhol (Odisha): 4 MT — under construction
- Padur Phase 2: 2.5 MT — approved
- Bikaner (Rajasthan) + Rajkot (Gujarat): 6 MT combined — proposed
India’s Evacuations:
- Kuwait Airlift (1990): 1,76,000 — largest air evacuation ever
- Operation Rahat (2015, Yemen): 4,640 Indians + 960 foreigners
- Current West Asia: 3,75,000+ evacuated
Other Relevant Facts:
- I2U2 Group: India, Israel, UAE, USA
- IMEC: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (G20, 2023)
- India-Oman-UAE: Indian Navy conducts regular exercises in Arabian Sea
- CAATSA: US law sanctioning countries buying Russian/Iranian weapons
- India’s crude import bill: ~$150 billion annually
Sources: The Hindu, PIB, Vajiram & Ravi