India’s LNG Imports Surge by 28% in June 2026
In June 2026, India imported 2.659 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG), marking a significant 28% increase compared to June 2025 when imports were only 2.08 million tons. This rise represents the highest monthly import volume in the past 20 months, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. From the beginning of the year, India’s LNG imports have risen by 7%, totaling 12.844 million tons.
All major Asian economies, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India, have ramped up their LNG imports during this peak summer demand period. This increase has occurred even as LNG imports to Europe dropped by 18%, which allowed some gas supplies to be redirected towards Asia.
India typically sources much of its gas from the Middle East. However, ongoing conflicts have led to a decrease in supply from this region. Additionally, rising temperatures this summer add to the pressures on gas delivery. In June, India received six LNG cargoes from the UAE and two from Qatar, which together accounted for 20% of its total LNG shipments for the month.
The United States remained India’s largest LNG supplier in June, contributing 562 thousand tons, or approximately 21% of the total imports. Other notable suppliers included Nigeria, Oman, and Angola.
June also marked a notable inclusion in India’s LNG trade statistics, with two shipments from Cameroon. This is part of a swap agreement within the Gazprom Marketing & Trading portfolio, which was renamed after the company’s assets were seized by Germany.
By the end of 2025, India ranked fifth in global LNG imports, trailing behind China, Japan, South Korea, and France. The country now boasts seven receiving terminals capable of handling a combined capacity of 48 million tons per year.
As India continues to climb the ranks among global LNG importers, the energy landscape is shaping up to provide more opportunities and challenges in the coming months.
