India says decision pending on Maldives’ request for long and short term oil supplies

India has said it has not yet decided whether it will supply oil to the Maldives, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global energy markets.

Since February 28, the United States and Israel have carried out attacks on Iran, leading to a spike in global oil prices. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, has pushed prices to record highs in recent days.

Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed last month that the Maldives had requested India’s assistance in securing oil supplies. At the time, he said New Delhi would consider the request after assessing its own reserves and domestic needs.

Speaking again on Thursday, Jaiswal reiterated that the Maldives had asked India for both long‑term and short‑term oil supply arrangements. He told Reuters that India is still working on a decision, though he did not indicate whether any progress had been made.

The Maldives typically imports most of its fuel from Oman. However, since the conflict began, the government has said it is exploring alternative suppliers to ensure stability in the domestic market.

Fuel prices in the Maldives have risen sharply in recent weeks, placing the country among the 10 nations with the highest oil prices since the Iran conflict escalated.