India halts LNG imports from Qatar, UAE amid Middle East turmoil

India, one of the world’s largest importers of liquefied natural gas (LNG), reduced its LNG purchases by 11% in April 2026, with imports from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates halting entirely amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

According to data from India’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, LNG imports in April totaled 1.86 million tons. This figure represents an 11% decline compared with 2025 levels, although it is 14% higher than in March 2026. The total value of imports reached $1.2 billion, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Nigeria was the largest supplier during the month, providing 547,000 tons of LNG. It was followed by Oman with 407,000 tons and the United States with 357,000 tons. India also imported 285,000 tonnes from Angola, while other exporting countries supplied less than 100,000 tons each.

Supplies from Middle Eastern producers—including Qatar, the UAE, and Oman—accounted for 21.9% of India’s LNG imports in April, down sharply from 49.5% in March. In early March, Qatar reportedly suspended LNG production following Iranian airstrikes, while the UAE faced logistical constraints due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Overall, India imported 7.95 million tons of LNG between January and April 2026, marking a 2% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

By Vafa Guliyeva