The repercussions of a war being fought nearly 3,000km away are now impacting India's homes.
As military actions on Iran hinder energy deliveries through the vital shipping lane, stocks of kitchen fuel are tightening across India, compelling restaurants to reduce offerings, shorten hours and in some cases close completely.
Social media is flooded by video clips showing lines outside fuel suppliers across Indian cities and towns as anxieties over fuel supplies grow. Businesses appear the most affected: the sharpest squeeze is in food service establishments.
"The state of affairs is alarming. Cooking gas simply isn't available," says a official of the a major restaurant body.
Most eateries run either on business-grade gas tanks or pipeline-supplied fuel, and the scarcities are now being noticed across the country. "Numerous restaurants have ceased operations - some in the capital, many in the south. People are adopting coal and wood and induction stoves to keep their operations going."
In a western metro, accounts say up to a 20% of hotels and restaurants are already completely or partially closed as cylinder availability dwindle. In the southern cities of tech and coastal hubs, some establishments say their cylinder inventory have shrunk with scarce alternatives. "Our menu is reduced to coffee and no other dishes - it is truly dismal. Commerce will take a hit," says a restaurant owner in Bengaluru.
Restaurant owners are rushing to adjust. "Food options are being cut, some are skipping midday meals and opening only for dinner," an industry representative says, adding that stoppages are changing as supplies come and go. "Several establishments in Delhi were shut yesterday - two have already reopened. It's a fluid situation."
Retailers report a increase in sales of electric cookers, with some saying they are running out of them.
Yet, the officials states there is adequate supply.
India has more than a vast number of home fuel subscribers and authorities say cylinders are being reallocated to households as conflict-related stress from the war in the Gulf affect energy markets.
Roughly six out of ten of India's LPG is imported, and about nine out of ten of those imports pass through the critical waterway, the vital passage now significantly disrupted by the hostilities.
The petroleum ministry says that it directed refineries to increase LPG output for home needs, enhancing domestic production by about 25%. Non-domestic supply is being prioritised for critical services such as hospitals and educational institutions, while distribution will be "just and open".
"Unnecessary hoarding and hoarding has been caused by false reports. The normal delivery cycle for home fuel remains about two-and-a-half days," says a senior official.
Now the worry is moving beyond kitchens. On digital platforms, a widely shared video from Chennai shows a long, snaking queue of two-wheelers outside a petrol pump. "Anxiety is palpable," the description reads.
According to analysis from energy specialists, concerns about India's broader energy security may be exaggerated.
India imports almost all of its petroleum. Around half of its crude oil imports - about 2.5 to 2.7 million barrels a day - travel through the waterway, largely from regional suppliers.
Even if crude flows through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted, the shortfall could be partly offset by higher imports of Russian petroleum, according to a refinery and oil markets analyst.
Based on maritime intelligence and expert analysis, additional Russian crude imports could reach around a significant volume of barrels a day, lessening India's effective gap from exposure to the Strait of Hormuz to about 1.6 million barrels a day.
"A large quantity of Russian oil barrels are currently in transit at sea in the Indian Ocean and, with only two major Asian economies as major buyers, those barrels remain a ready fallback," an analyst noted.
The real vulnerability is LPG, analysts say.
India consumes roughly 1 million barrels a day, but produces only less than half domestically, importing the rest - most of it through Hormuz.
Refineries can modify output to produce a bit more LPG, but even a limited rise would only lift domestic supply to about under half of demand, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports.
In short: "Crude supply risk can be somewhat alleviated through alternative sourcing. Refined product supply remains relatively comfortable. LPG availability is the critical issue to track in the coming weeks."
What may be worsening the panic on the ground is not just limited availability but erratic supply chains - and the usual problem of panic buying.
An industry representative claims exploitative practices.
"Suppliers are taking advantage of the situation - black-marketing cylinders and selling them at a inflated price. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being stockpiled and sold at a premium."
For now, India's energy imports may be protected by international market dynamics. But in restaurants across the country, the more pressing concern is simple: how to get the next refill.
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