India needs gas, but will they ally with Iran over the US?

Two tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have been transported from Iran’s Strait of Hormuz to India. Bloomberg reported that the tankers would be:

providing some relief to acute shortages as the war in the Persian Gulf disrupts supply of the cooking fuel.

But, this delivery is quite a surprise given that the US-Israel attack on Iran will test Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s relationship to the US. For instance, Bloomberg noted that Modi, a Trump and Netanyahu ally, has not directly apologised to Iran for what happened to IRIS Dena.

The US sank the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, killing 84 crew. The ship had attended a naval event hosted by India days before. Defence analysts told the Guardian the attack embarrassed India and showed the US disregard for its regional influence.

India leverage oil

Journalist Chay Bowes shared a clip of US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, who thinks Iran probably made a deal with India.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Iran didn’t fire on a convoy passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He thinks Iran probably made a deal with India.

If true, kudos to quiet Indian diplomacy. pic.twitter.com/cNkGWlP53O

— Chay Bowes (@BowesChay) March 16, 2026

The Financial Times also reported that:

India’s foreign minister S Jaishankar told the FT that negotiations between New Delhi and Tehran which allowed for two Indian-flagged gas tankers to pass through the Strait on Saturday were an example of what diplomacy could bring.

And, there are reports of further talks to arrange the passage of more LPG to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for India:

The vessels are carrying a combined 270,000 tons of the cooking fuel https://t.co/icBkWx7hKN

— Bloomberg (@business) March 16, 2026

Cooking oil shortages in India

The US and Israel’s unprovoked attack on Iran had squeezed India’s cooking-gas supplies, as much of the nation relies on LPG for cooking oil.

Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that restaurants in India were facing shortages of cooking oil and were being encouraged to use coal or wood fired ovens.

Mideast war lands India restaurants in soup: Eateries in the world’s fastest-growing major economy are feeling the heat of the conflict because of shortages in cooking gas, which has been encouraged in India as an alternative to coal or wood-fired ovens.https://t.co/9W0b3rum7j pic.twitter.com/WkuZnhJJEe

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 13, 2026

Other Indian news sites were reporting similar shortages.

Hotels, restaurants across parts of India face commercial #LPGCylinder shortage as supply disruptions linked to the escalating #WestAsia conflict force authorities to prioritise household cooking gas. https://t.co/JhUb1xarZL

— National Herald (@NH_India) March 11, 2026

Opposition parties, such as the CPI(M), were reported to have urged Prime Minister Modi to address the shortages and to condemn the US-Israel war on Iran in order to stabilize energy supplies.

LPG News: CPI(M)’s MA Baby urges PM Modi to address cooking gas shortages and condemn US-Israel war on Iran to stabilize energy supplies. https://t.co/s4WkQ4JIZ8

— Deccan Herald (@DeccanHerald) March 14, 2026

Missing apology to Iran

However, despite Modi’s allegiances to the US and Israel, this gas delivery begs the question: will Modi apologise to or advocate for Iran on the world stage?

As the chair of BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – India has not condemned the attack on Iran:

‘Some Members Directly Involved’: BRICS Fails to Issue Statement on US-Israeli War Under India’s Chairmanship

This is in contrast to last year when BRICS, under the Brazilian chairmanship, issued two statements on the June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran.https://t.co/KooZJeC0In

— The Wire (@thewire_in) March 15, 2026o

Modi’s supporters are choosing to view his “calculated silence” on the war on Iran as a sign of India’s strength.

Modi is trying to keep Trump pleased, whilst keeping the nation supplied with gas. Given Trump is known for outrageous swings of emotion, Modi is treading a dangerous line.

Featured image via the Canary