India Ends Emergency Gas Curbs As Middle East LNG Flows Normalize Post-Ceasefire

India has officially withdrawn most emergency natural gas supply curbs, signaling an end to a tense four-month period of energy uncertainty. The Centre decision, announced by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday, July 5, 2026, comes after Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments from the Middle East, particularly through the vital Strait of Hormuz, have fully resumed following a ceasefire in the West Asia region. This move eases earlier emergency measures that had prioritised essential sectors and curtailed supplies to industries across the nation. The emergency measures, known as the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, were first imposed in March 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act. This was a direct response to severe disruptions in LNG flows caused by the West Asia conflict, which involved US and Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran. India, heavily reliant on imports with nearly half its natural gas needs and 65% of its LNG transiting the Strait of Hormuz, quickly moved to safeguard critical supplies for households (PNG), transport (CNG), and LPG production, while industrial consumers, fertiliser plants, petrochemical plants, and power stations faced significant reductions. With maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz now stable and diplomatic negotiations ongoing in the Middle East, Indian industries can expect a return to normal gas allocations. This rollback, which also follows the earlier withdrawal of restrictions on diesel sales and LPG production, marks a significant step towards full energy supply normalization for the country. While global LNG trade might have seen some stagnation this year due to the recent disruptions, India's proactive measures and the current geopolitical calm suggest a more stable energy outlook moving forward.