Middle East Gas Crisis: Pipeline Alternative for India Amidst Gulf War Escalation

• The Gulf region war, initiated by Israel and the US against Iran, has severely impacted global oil and LNG supplies, with the closure of the Hormuz Strait causing a 20% loss in both.
• Key infrastructure, including Saudi ARAMCO's Ras Tanura refinery and Qatar's Ras Laffan LNG plant, were attacked, leading to a significant price hike in oil and LNG markets.
• India faces high energy vulnerability, importing 30% of its crude oil, 25% of LNG, and 60% of LPG from the Gulf region, with current shipping through Hormuz requiring individual negotiation.
• The closure of the Hormuz Strait is exacerbated by major insurers halting war risk coverage, making the situation more critical than previous crises like the Red Sea Houthi attacks.
• A proposed Middle East to India Deep Water Pipeline (MEIDP) offers a cheaper and less geopolitically exposed alternative for India's gas supply, with feasibility and financial viability confirmed.