India Ends Emergency Gas Supply Rules After LNG Resumes

The Indian government has withdrawn key emergency regulations that had prioritized natural gas supplies for households and essential services, signaling a return to normal market operations after months of disruption caused by regional conflict. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued a notification on Saturday, July 4, 2026, amending its Natural Gas Supply Regulation Order to remove provisions that allowed for state-directed allocation.

The policy reversal follows a ceasefire in the Middle East and the resumption of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for liquefied natural gas shipments. The government stated that the ongoing conflict that had disrupted LNG shipments has been subject to a ceasefire and negotiations are ongoing, allowing sea traffic to resume. With improved LNG availability, the extraordinary measures enacted in March are no longer deemed necessary.

The original emergency order was issued on March 9 under the Essential Commodities Act after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and subsequent retaliatory attacks effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz. The disruption led several suppliers to invoke force...