India Reaffirms Commitment to Ensure Uninterrupted Petroleum Supply to Nepal

New Delhi. India has stated that it has ensured an uninterrupted supply of petroleum products to Nepal despite the ongoing tensions in West Asia and the Middle East.

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made the commitment in New Delhi on Saturday while speaking about Nepal-India relations and mutual cooperation. He said the two countries have always stood by each other in times of need.

Jaishankar said that, in the context of the ongoing crisis in West Asia and the Middle East, India has made necessary arrangements to prevent any disruption in fuel supply to Nepal. According to him, India’s commitment to providing petroleum products to Nepal will continue even under difficult circumstances.

He said Nepal-India relations are not limited to geographical proximity, but are also rooted in historical, social, cultural and practical necessities. He stressed that cooperation between the two countries should move forward on the basis of mutual trust, support in times of need and regional stability.

Nepal is heavily dependent on India for petroleum products. The Nepal Oil Corporation imports petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and cooking gas through the Indian Oil Corporation. Since instability in the global energy market and tensions in the Middle East can directly affect import-dependent countries like Nepal, the assurance of supply security is considered important.

India’s latest commitment is being viewed as a positive message for Nepal from the perspective of energy security. At a time when uncertainty over fuel supply and prices is increasing in the international market, such an assurance from a neighbouring country is expected to help ease possible pressure on supply management and consumers.

Jaishankar’s remarks indicate a practical effort to further strengthen energy supply, emergency cooperation and economic relations between Nepal and India.