India Expands RELIEF to Egypt, Jordan; 50.5 Lakh LPG Deliveries and 2,447 Seafarers Repatriated Amid Hormuz Uncertainty

The Indian government on Friday expanded support for exporters hit by the ongoing West Asia conflict by widening the scope of its RELIEF scheme, even as it detailed broader domestic stabilisation measures across energy, logistics and citizen safety amid continued disruption in the Gulf region.

File Photo: DD India Screengrab

The government said Egypt and Jordan have been added to the list of eligible destinations under RELIEF — Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation — a time-bound initiative launched on March 19 to support exporters facing “extraordinary freight escalation, heightened insurance premia and war-related export risks” linked to disruptions in the West Asia maritime corridor. The scheme, implemented through the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECGC), provides insurance support, reimbursement assistance and facilitation for shipments already undertaken as well as future exports.

Officials clarified that exporters obtaining a fresh ECGC Whole Turnover Policy on or after March 16 would also be eligible for support under Component II of the scheme, a move aimed at expanding participation and easing access for new exporters. The expansion reflects what the government described as a continued assessment of “evolving trade and logistics conditions” across the extended West Asia and North Africa corridor, with the objective of sustaining export flows and cushioning MSMEs against prolonged disruption.

The export support push comes alongside a wider domestic response to the crisis, with authorities maintaining uninterrupted fuel supply and tightening enforcement to stabilise markets. Government data shows that more than 50.5 lakh domestic LPG cylinders were delivered in a single day, while nationwide inspections have intensified, with penalties imposed on 255 distributors and 65 distributorships suspended to curb diversion and black marketing.

At the same time, structural energy shifts are being accelerated, with about 4.68 lakh piped natural gas (PNG) connections already activated since March and over 5.23 lakh additional consumers registered, as policymakers push to reduce dependence on LPG and strengthen long-term energy resilience.

Maritime and evacuation operations remain a parallel focus, with more than 2,447 Indian seafarers repatriated so far and control rooms handling thousands of distress communications. Officials said all Indian seafarers in the region remain safe, and port operations across India continue “normally with no congestion reported,” despite heightened risks linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Diplomatic outreach has also intensified, with India maintaining continuous engagement with partners in the Gulf and beyond while coordinating evacuation, advisories and travel facilitation for nationals. Since the conflict began, over 10.38 lakh passengers have travelled from the region to India, reflecting the scale of movement amid ongoing instability.

The broader policy response underscores a dual-track strategy — stabilising domestic supply chains while sustaining external trade flows — as the conflict continues to reshape energy markets, shipping routes and export dynamics.

The developments come even as the situation in the Gulf remains fluid. Iran has announced that the Strait of Hormuz is fully open to commercial shipping following a temporary truce linked to regional fighting, raising hopes of easing pressure on global energy flows. However, the United States has maintained its naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked shipping, stating that restrictions will remain in place until a broader agreement with Tehran is reached.

This divergence — between the reopening of the strait and the continuation of U.S. enforcement measures — highlights the fragile nature of the current de-escalation, with global energy markets and trade routes still exposed to sudden shifts depending on how negotiations and military postures evolve in the coming days.