The government does not foresee any situation where the country may be required to import petrol and diesel, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), told reporters at the inter-Ministerial briefing on West Asia on Monday (April 27, 2026).

Responding to a query about the availability of stocks, the senior official told reporters, “As far as the supply of diesel and petrol in the country is concerned, I want to re-emphasise we have sufficient stocks. Sometimes, because of the panic buying, there may be an issue, but then that issue is taken on priority and is resolved,” adding, “We do not foresee any situation where we have to go for import of petrol or diesel.”

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal on Friday (March 20, 2026) stressed the importance of energy security amid the ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Addressing a ministerial meet at the Bharat Electricity Summit 2026, Lal called for coordinated efforts between the Centre and States to ensure affordable and efficient power generation, transmission, and distribution.

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“Stressing the importance of energy security amid global uncertainties, he (Lal) underlined the need to enhance per capita energy consumption and accelerate the transition towards renewable energy,” a Power Ministry statement said.

He also noted the potential of nuclear energy as a clean energy source and termed the SHANTI Act a significant step forward.

Minister of State for new and renewable energy Shirpad Naik co-chaired the meeting.

Mr. Lal also released the Ministry of Power — Consumer Service Ratings of DISCOMS (CSRD) Report, and the Distributing Utilities Ranking (DUR) Report for FY 2024-25.

The CSRD evaluates DISCOMs’ performance in consumer service by setting baseline standards and expectations, including prompt and accurate metering and billing, timely and effective grievance redressal and fair, transparent tariff-setting.

The DUR offers a comprehensive and objective assessment of the performance of power distribution utilities across the country. Building on insights from previous editions, the report goes beyond traditional performance indicators to adopt a multi-dimensional evaluation framework encompassing institutional capability, financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and service delivery outcomes.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday (March 18, 2026) temporarily waived a century-old shipping law to help ease energy costs that have surged since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the West Asia into war.

Mr. Trump’s move to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver would lift a ban on foreign-flagged vessels transporting cargo between U.S. ports over this period.

Iran-Israel war updates on March 18, 2026

The 1920 law was aimed at promoting American shipbuilding, but critics argue that it hampers free trade and has raised costs for consumers.

Mr. Trump’s latest move is “just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in a statement.

She was referring to the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive launched against Iran on February 28.

“This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days,” Ms. Leavitt added.

She vowed that the Trump administration “remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains.”

According to AAA motor group data, U.S. gasoline prices have risen more than 27% since the start of the war.

French ​President Emmanuel Macron will convene a call ‌with leaders of the Group ​of Seven on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) to ⁠discuss the Iran crisis and rising energy prices, the French president’s office said. The ‌talks come as G7 governments weigh how to respond ‌to a sharp rise in ‌oil ⁠prices triggered by the ⁠U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

G7 energy ministers stopped short of agreeing on a release of strategic ​oil reserves on ‌Tuesday and instead asked the International Energy Agency to assess the situation before acting.

Benchmark oil prices surged ‌to almost four-year highs on Monday ​but prices plummeted 11% on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald ⁠Trump predicted the war in the Middle East could end soon. U.S. officials ‌are also weighing steps to keep oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, including providing naval escorts for commercial vessels and backstopping war risk insurance for tankers, as ‌Washington seeks to reassure shippers and ​prevent further disruption to global energy supplies.

The G7 comprises the ⁠United States, Canada, Japan, Italy, Britain, Germany ⁠and France.

France is the current G7 chair.