Page 2 - Middle East

Qatar declares force majeure, gas supplies to Indian industry cut

Qatar, India's largest supplier of imported natural gas, has declared force majeure on deliveries following a halt in production in the wake of an Iranian drone strike -- a disruption that has led to a cut in supplies to Indian industry by up to 40 per cent, sources said. Qatar supplies about 40 per cent of the nearly 27 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that India imports annually to meet demand across sectors ranging from power generation and fertiliser production to CNG distribution and piped cooking gas networks. Gas importer Petronet LNG Ltd has informed gas marketers of Qatar halting its liquefied natural gas production after Iran continued to strike Gulf countries in retaliation for Israeli and US strikes against it, they said. The attacks have also effectively brought oil and LNG shipments through the Strait of Hormuz to a near halt, driving up global energy prices as well as sharply raising war-risk insurance and shipping costs. Iran controls the Strait -- a vi

China refiners cut runs as war with Iran halts West Asia crude shipping

The world's biggest oil importer, China sources roughly half its crude from the Middle East

India has enough fuel stocks to meet demand for up to eight weeks

India holds sufficient crude and fuel inventories to meet domestic demand for petrol, diesel, and other fuels for six to eight weeks, top government sources said, cushioning the country against any short-term supply disruption amid escalating military conflict in West Asia. About half of India's crude and LPG imports transit the Strait of Hormuz - the key energy chokepoint that has seen disruptions following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facilities. Iran warned shipping away from the strait, and insurers withdrew coverage, effectively halting tanker movements. A top oil ministry official, who wished not to be named, said the government is monitoring the situation "on a daily and hourly basis" and is confident of navigating through the crisis that by some estimates may last a week or ten days. While the country has crude oil stocks to last 25 days and fuel to last a similar duration, contingency plans - including using stockpile in strategic ...

Oil prices keep climbing as expanding conflict heightens supply risks

US West ‌Texas Intermediate crude gained $5.31, or 7.5 per cent , to $76.54 after hitting its highest since June at $77.53

India eyes alternative energy supplies amid Strait of Hormuz disruption

Indian refiners process about 5.6 million barrels per day of crude, with about 40 per cent of their crude imports passing through the Strait of Hormuz

War risk insurance costs likely to climb amid West Asia crisis: Experts

Freight carriers will have to pay an additional premium to restore war cover for shipments passing through high-risk areas amid the escalating crisis in West Asia, experts said. Vessels of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) are also involved in the movement of crude oil and LNG, especially through areas around the Red Sea, and would have to pay an additional premium for war cover to ensure risk cover. "It is reasonable to expect that Indian oil companies will have cargo exposures and SCI will have hull exposure in this region. Oil prices are also likely to face upward pressure in the near term," Policybazaar Head (marine insurance) Balasundaram R said. According to Prudent Insurance Brokers Head (marine specialities), Gaurav Agarwal, notice of cancellation of war cover has been issued on hull on March 1, and a similar cancellation on cargo is expected soon. After this cancellation, Agarwal said, the insurers may increase premiums on hull and cargo. "If the conflict becomes a

AAI seeks 7-day fuel stock data from int'l airports amid West Asia crisis

State-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) has asked all international airport operators in the country to provide details about available fuel stocks as well as estimated requirements for the next seven days amid the escalating Middle East crisis, sources said on Tuesday. The communication comes against the backdrop of the escalating conflict in the Middle East involving the US, Israel and Iran that threatens to impact global oil supplies. One of the sources said the details have been sought as a "precautionary measure" to have a clear understanding about the fuel supply situation at the international airports. The sources told PTI that following directions from the civil aviation ministry, AAI has sought details about the current fuel supply status from all the international airport operators. The operators have also been asked to provide details about average daily fuel consumption, estimated fuel requirement for the next seven days and date of next scheduled fuel replenishme

Will West Asia tensions dent Dubai's appeal for Indian students? Explained

Impact on Indians in Dubai: Rising regional tensions trigger fresh safety concerns even as Dubai remains a popular and cost-effective study destination for Indian families

Indian auto firms on wait-and-watch as West Asia crisis blows up

Indian automakers assess West Asia exposure amid rising tensions, as export risks remain limited but higher fuel and input costs could weigh on domestic demand

Middle East tensions disrupt travel: What fliers must know before you book

Gemini said Travel Alert: What to Do If You Have Flights Booked to or via the Middle East If you have an international trip planned for the coming weeks, you've likely been keeping a close eye on the

West Asia crisis: UAE resumes flights; Indian carriers plan relief

Airspace restrictions across the Gulf disrupted services for a third day, prompting partial resumption in the UAE. Meanwhile, Indian airlines have also mounted relief measures

QatarEnergy to stop LNG output temporarily as West Asia crisis intensifies

QatarEnergy said on Monday it would stop its production of liquified natural gas as the Mideast war rages, taking one of the world's top suppliers off the market. The state-owned firm blamed the war for the decision. It offered no timeline for restoring its production. Oil prices have already risen over the war.

West Asia crisis: Apparel exporters urge govt to waive cargo penalties

Apparel exporters' body AEPC on Monday said it has written to the civil aviation ministry seeking waiver of demurrage charges on export cargo on account of flight disruptions emanating from the ongoing West Asia crisis. Under the existing tariff structure of Cargo Terminal Operators (CTOs), demurrage charges become applicable when cargo remains in terminal facilities beyond the stipulated free period. However, AEPC argued that the present circumstances constitute an exceptional and unavoidable disruption in the global air logistics chain. "Imposition of demurrage in such cases would place an undue financial burden on exporters who are already facing shipment delays, contractual uncertainties, and market-related challenges," Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel stated. Sakthivel also suggested that DGCA consider issuing suitable instruction to CTOs to grant waiver of demurrage charges on export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions,

Nasscom asks IT firms to avoid travelling to West Asia, allow WFH

IT industry body Nasscom has advised its member companies to avoid travel to affected parts of the Middle East and urged them to enable work-from-home (WFH) protocols for employees currently stationed in the region amid escalating tensions. In a statement, the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) said it is closely monitoring the developments and that employee safety remains the industry's "foremost priority." "As a precautionary measure, Nasscom has advised member companies to defer travel to affected areas. Member companies have also been advised to enable work-from-home arrangements for employees currently in the region," the industry body said. The current situation in the Middle East is marked by a sharp escalation in geopolitical tensions amid the escalating US-Iran conflict. Nasscom noted that while operations across the IT industry are continuing "as usual" at this stage, companies remain vigilant and prepared to take additional measures if the .

Exporters seek demurrage waiver as West Asia disruptions delay cargo

Apparel exporters on Monday urged the government to waive demurrage charges on export cargo at airports, as flight disruptions arising from ongoing West Asian crisis may impact movement of consignments. In a communication to the civil aviation ministry, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said the prevailing situation has significantly disrupted international flight operations, resulting in route restrictions, airspace closures, flight diversions, schedule irregularities, and operational constraints at certain overseas airports. Airport demurrage charges are fees on cargo or baggage at an airport terminal being kept beyond the allowed free period. These charges encourage swift clearance. It varies by airport, cargo type and duration. These unforeseen developments have directly impacted the timely movement of export cargo from Indian airports to various international destinations,AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel said. As a consequence, he said export consignments are currently strande

Larsen & Toubro tanks 7%; stock records sharpest intra-day fall in 11 mths

Out of the international order book of ₹3.57 trillion, around 75 per cent is from the Middle East, L&T said in the Q3 earnings conference call on January 28, 2026.

West Asia chaos: Nearly 500 flights cancelled; what Indians can do

Flight disruptions across West Asia prompt Indian authorities to release helplines as Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air extend suspensions

West Asia crisis: India offers foreigners visa relief amid flight chaos

Hundreds of flights cancelled after West Asia tensions; MEA asks foreign nationals in India to contact FRRO for visa extensions and stay help

West Asia crisis: Jaishankar speaks to foreign ministers of Iran, Israel

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday held separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar as the Middle East reeled under massive tension following a joint US-Israel military offensive against Iran. Jaishankar conveyed to Araghchi India's deep concern over the developments in Iran and the region. "Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India's deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region," Jaishankar said on social media. On his conversation with Sa'ar, Jaishankar said he reiterated "India's call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions". Following the attack by the US and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israeli and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan. Earlier in the day, US President Donald Trump, announcing the military offensive against Tehra

DGCA asks airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries till March 2

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Saturday advised airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, till March 2. The countries are Iran, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Many airspaces are already shut in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US on Saturday. Indian airlines have suspended their services to the Middle East. The advisory has been issued in alignment with international safety standards and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB), the regulator said. The watchdog has asked airlines to refrain from operating within the 11 affected airspaces at all flight levels and altitudes. Carriers have been asked to closely monitor all updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the affected countries and national authorities. "This advisory is effective immediately and remains valid until March 02, 202