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Informist, Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026

 

--Govt: No talks with Iran regarding toll on ships crossing Strait of Hormuz 

--CONTEXT: Government officials briefing media on West Asia war 

--Govt: Domestic LPG output 48,000 tn Wed 

--Govt: Pharma cos not facing disruption in input supply on West Asia war 

 

NEW DELHI – Pharmaceutical companies in the country are not facing any major supply constraints despite shortages of liquefied petroleum gas and high-speed diesel due to the war in West Asia, a senior government official said Thursday. Concerns and requests from pharmaceutical companies regarding inputs are being addressed "on a case-to-case basis," Satyaprakash T.L., joint secretary in the Department of Pharmaceuticals, said at an inter-ministerial press conference on the West Asian situation. He said there is enough stock of input chemicals to make life-saving drugs.

 

The government is engaged with the pharmaceutical sector to facilitate supply. "If there are any concerns, we get information and requests through representative bodies. As and when we get requests, we facilitate the supply in our own limited manner," he said.  

 

He said the methanol supply has emerged as a major concern. "Discussions are on with Assam Petrochemicals and Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers and Chemicals, and they are ready to supply the required quantities of methanol," Satyaprakash said.

 

He said that aluminium supply was hit recently, but is expected to resume "in a week or so". Aluminium is used in drug packaging. 

 

Addressing the press conference, Sujata Sharma, joint secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the sale of 5-kg liquefied petroleum gas cylinders touched a record high of 1,06,000 Wednesday, following the increased supply of these cylinders. In February, the average number was 77,000 cylinders per day, she said, adding that more than a million 5-kg cylinders have been sold since Mar. 23. The 5-kg cylinders are primarily used by students and migrant labourers.

 

Sharma said that all oil refineries were operating at "optimum capacity" and that domestic LPG production was 48,000 tonnes on Wednesday. She said that there are "some constraints" on LPG for automobiles at private outlets, but supply is normal at petrol pumps owned by public-sector oil marketing companies.  

 

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said there has been "absolutely no discussion" with Iran on the country's intention to impose toll tax on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. "We will see if any such situation arises in future. For now, we continue to call for free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz," Jaiswal said.

 

He said around 7,500 Indians are still living in Iran and have been advised to leave the country. "There is peace for the time being, and travelling to the borders of Armenia and Azerbaijan is easier. So we have issued an advisory for the Indians living there to leave Iran if they want," the spokesperson said.

 

He said that India has welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran. "We hope and expect this peace to last," Jaiswal said.

 

Although a ceasefire has been announced, and Iran has agreed to open the Strait of Hormuz, there has been "no movement" of any Indian-flagged vessel stuck in the Persian Gulf, said Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. As per the last update by the ministry, 16 Indian ships are stuck in the Persian Gulf, a few of them loaded with LPG and crude oil.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Saji George Titus

 

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