India Lifts Commercial LPG Restrictions After Hormuz Strait Reopens

India has lifted restrictions on the supply of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) that were imposed during the recent Middle East conflict, following the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and the gradual recovery of energy shipments.According to AFP, the decision comes after fuel tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased as part of an agreement signed between Iran and the United States, easing concerns over global energy supplies.In a statement issued late Thursday night, India's Ministry of Petroleum announced that restrictions on non-domestic packaged LPG had been withdrawn. The ministry also said that bulk LPG supplies, which had been suspended at the onset of the crisis, have been partially restored, with deliveries resuming at up to 50 percent of pre-crisis consumption levels."The decision has been taken in view of the recent improvement in the LPG supply situation," the ministry said.India, the world's most populous country, is the second-largest importer of LPG, with a significant share of its imports coming from the Middle East. Under normal circumstances, nearly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz.The waterway was closed after the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran conflict in late February, disrupting energy supplies across the Gulf and placing pressure on India's economy. The supply disruptions also raised uncertainty over the country's economic growth outlook.LPG is the primary cooking fuel for millions of Indian households. During the crisis, the government increased LPG prices to manage supply constraints.Last month, India also approved a $4 billion plan to expand coal gasification as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on imported fuels during the supply crisis.