India has seen a dramatic rebound in its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from Qatar, with volumes surging by nearly 370% in October. Provisional data from commodity market analytics firm Kpler indicates that India received 0.44 million tonnes (mt) of Qatari LNG between October 1 and October 25, a significant increase compared to the total volumes imported throughout September.
Qatar has historically been India's primary LNG supplier. However, the outbreak of conflict in West Asia in late February led to severe disruptions in shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, curtailing supplies. Between March and September, monthly LNG imports from Qatar averaged a mere 0.07 mt, a sharp decline from the 2025 monthly average of 0.95 mt.
New Shipping Strategies Restore Supplies
Industry experts and analysts suggest that the recovery is partly due to Qatar's proactive adoption of alternative shipping strategies to mitigate security risks in the Strait of Hormuz. These tactics reportedly include tankers temporarily disabling their transponders, a practice known as “going dark,” to avoid detection, and utilizing opportune windows when maritime security assessments permit safer passage.
Additionally, ship-to-ship (STS) transfers are reportedly being employed to move LNG beyond the strait. While more commonly associated with crude oil shipments, STS transfers involve transferring cargo from one vessel to another, allowing the receiving tanker to proceed through safer waters. Transferring LNG is a complex operation, demanding specialized cryogenic hoses and meticulous handling to maintain the gas at extremely low temperatures.
As global LNG demand typically rises ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter, Qatar appears to be leveraging these alternative arrangements to restore exports despite the inherent risks. Sonal Ranjan, an LNG and Natural Gas Analyst at Kpler, noted that “Qatari LNG deliveries to India are at their highest monthly level since the conflict began.” A sustained recovery could reduce India’s reliance on sourcing replacement cargoes from other suppliers, especially as domestic import requirements remain robust despite elevated prices.
India Diversifies Suppliers Amid Higher Prices
While Qatar's supplies recovered, the United States emerged as India’s largest LNG supplier between October 1 and October 25, delivering 0.56 mt, a 61.4% increase from September. The UAE ranked third with 0.38 mt, followed by Oman at 0.30 mt, and Nigeria at 0.28 mt. Overall, India’s total LNG imports reached 2.51 mt during the first 25 days of October, marking a 12.2% increase over September volumes and a 9.8% rise year-on-year.
India relies on LNG imports to satisfy approximately half of its natural gas requirements. Before the conflict, about 60% of its LNG imports, primarily from Qatar and the UAE, transited through the Strait of Hormuz. The prolonged disruption has prompted Indian buyers to explore and secure supplies from sources less dependent on the strait, including the US. This diversification aims to ensure consistent availability for critical sectors such as fertilizer production, power generation, city gas distribution, and ceramics industries. Despite elevated global LNG prices, India’s imports between May and September rose 17.8% year-on-year to 11.87 mt, underscoring the country’s sustained demand for the fuel.