India emerged as the world’s most active long-term LNG buyer market in 2025 with a total of 8.4 million tons per year contracted, according to the annual 2026 report of the International Group of LNG Importers, known by its French acronym GIIGNL. The contracted long-term LNG supply volumes reflect “a coordinated expansion of long-term import capacity driven by rising domestic gas demand,” GIIGNL said in its report. For the entire LNG industry, 2025 was an “exceptionally active year for LNG contracting”, with 83 long-term sales and purchase (SPAs) signed, nearly double the 47 in 2024, according to the report. Disclosed newly-contracted volumes reached 71.6 MTPA across 76 agreements, which is some 30% higher compared to the prior year. The surge in global long-term LNG contracting “reflects the convergence of two structural forces: sustained demand growth across key importing markets, and an ongoing wave of liquefaction projects seeking offtake commitments to reach FID,” GIIGNL said.