India imported a record 155.25 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States during the first half of 2026, highlighting the growing role of US supplies in India’s energy mix.
The increase reflects India’s efforts to secure reliable LNG supplies for power generation, fertiliser production, city gas distribution and industrial consumption. US LNG has become an increasingly important source as Indian buyers diversify procurement across global markets.
The rise in imports also strengthens energy ties between India and the US. American LNG suppliers have expanded their presence in the Indian market as buyers seek greater flexibility in sourcing and access to competitively priced cargoes.
India is one of the world’s major LNG importers, with domestic natural-gas production insufficient to meet total demand. LNG imports therefore play an important role in meeting requirements across energy-intensive industries and the growing city-gas network.
The record US volumes come amid continued efforts by India to increase the share of natural gas in its overall energy basket. The government has been promoting gas-based infrastructure, including pipelines, LNG terminals and expanded city-gas distribution networks.
Higher US LNG imports could also support diversification of India’s energy suppliers and reduce dependence on any single source. With demand for natural gas expected to remain significant, US cargoes are likely to remain an important component of India’s LNG procurement strategy.