When the regular supply of oil and gas from Gulf countries is under threat, it becomes extremely important for a big consumer country like India to find new options. In this time of global crisis, India has got a new and strong energy partner. Argentina. This South American country has made a huge increase in LPG supply to India, due to which common Indian consumers will not have to face gas shortage.
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Whenever there is a major military conflict in West Asia, its first impact is visible on the energy market and fuel prices. But this time India has strengthened its options in time. According to the latest data, Argentina has sent 50,000 tonnes of LPG to India in the first three months of the year 2026 alone. If we look at the figures of last year 2025, this quantity was only 22,000 tonnes. That means the supply has more than doubled in just three months. Experts say that just before the war broke out, about 39,000 tonnes of gas was sent to India from Argentina’s Bahia Blanca port. After this, recently, on March 5, another gas cargo of 11,000 tonnes was sent to India.
Journey from zero to becoming a main supplier
The surprising thing is that before the year 2024, there was no export of LPG from Argentina to India. But now this country is registering its strong and stable share in the Indian gas market. According to government data, Argentina’s LPG production based on natural gas was recorded at 2,59,000 tonnes in January 2026. At the same time, its total annual production increased from 2.6 million tonnes in 2024 to 2.63 million tonnes in 2025. Additionally, Argentina plans to commission a new natural gas liquids (NGL) fractionation unit at its Bahía Blanca processing plant in 2026. This will further increase their production capacity, which will directly benefit a big and reliable buyer like India in the future also.
Not just gas, but a deep economic partnership
Argentina is no longer just an emergency energy supplier to India, but is emerging as a major economic partner in South America. In recent times, there has been a huge surge in trade between the two countries. Between January and November 2025, bilateral trade reached $6.34 billion with a sharp growth of 36.77%. Today India has become Argentina’s fifth largest trading partner and export destination. The soybean and sunflower oil used in your kitchen also comes largely from Argentina. Apart from this, India also imports grains, pulses, finished leather and many essential chemicals in large quantities from there.
Both countries eye future energy
The eyes of both countries are now not only on today’s energy needs but also on the energy needs of the future. Apart from gas and edible oil, work is being done rapidly in the field of hydrocarbons and important minerals required for future technology. In February 2023, important agreements were signed between India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd and Argentina’s government company YPF to promote oil and gas cooperation.
Apart from this, on January 15, 2024, the Government of India company ‘Khanij Bidesh India Limited’ (KABIL) had entered into a historic agreement with Catamarca Minera to lease five lithium blocks. This was India’s first foreign lithium acquisition.