India’s military is exploring alternative energy sources amid surging oil and gas prices caused by supply disruption from the Iran war, a trend that analysts say is set to accelerate among Asian countries heavily dependent on energy imports.

According to local media reports, the Indian army plans to get biogas stoves to replace natural gas-fired appliances for cooking. It is also exploring the use of green fuels for army vehicles and administrative work, as well as solar and wind power for military installations.

“The Indian Armed Forces’ proactive strategy to explore alternative energy solutions like biogas, solar, and wind is a direct response to the global energy crunch and market volatility linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia,” said Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation.

Oil prices have eased to below US$100 in recent days on expectations of a pact to end the Middle East conflict. Washington presented a proposal to Iran this week, and analysts expect Tehran to respond in the coming days.

On Thursday evening in Asian trading, Brent crude oil was trading at US$98.31 per barrel, compared with US$70 just before the outbreak of the Iran war.

The benchmark briefly hit a four-year high of US$126.41 a barrel on April 30 amid fears of an escalation in the war, which has choked energy supplies through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.