How Qatar's exit from Opec may help India end its petroleum import pangs

The decision provides India a huge bargaining chip in the oil and gas world of West Asia, though there are some downside risks as well

As Qatar walks out of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) in New Year 2019, the challenge for India is how to reset its gas purchases and more, given that the kingdom is one of its largest economic partners. It provides India a huge bargaining chip in the oil and gas world of West Asia, which will almost be a first of sorts, though there are downside risks. 

Qatar is the world’s largest producer of natural gas and is expected to remain so for a long time. India is the third-largest market for this gas, ranking behind only Japan and