Global Leaders Seek Energy Security Amid Escalating Iran-West Asia Conflict

Dubai: The escalating intensity of the Iran war in West Asia has given sleepless nights to the powerful countries of the world. India's turn comes after the visits of Italian PM Giorgio Meloni and British PM Keir Starmer in the last two weeks. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to Qatar's vital gas plants have threatened global energy supplies. In this situation, world leaders have reached out to the Gulf countries to ensure energy security, as the region produces 29 per cent of the world's oil and abundant gas, which is indispensable to keep the wheels of the global economy running. The situation is also very serious for India, as India depends on Qatar for 40 per cent of its LNG needs. The attack on Qatar's gas plants has disrupted 12.8 million tonnes of production annually, which may take years to fix. That is why India's Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar are currently on a visit to Qatar and the UAE, and their main objectives are to maintain the country's LPG supply.