Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed urgent need for India to boost its energy self-reliance during his 80th Independence Day speech,warning that weaponisation of resources and strategic sea routes poses significant threats to economic security. From the historic Red Fort,Modi noted that geopolitical tensions are being exploited,turning essentials like fuel, medicines, and technology into pressure tools.
His remarks come as global tensions spike, especially over the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran, heavily affecting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This key waterway handles around 20 million barrels of oil daily in 2025, about a quarter of world's seaborne oil trade,per the International Energy Agency. It's also crucial for nearly 20% of global LNG trade, vital for Asian importers like India .
The conflict has sharply reduced maritime traffic through the strait,hiking energy and shipping costs . Renewed tanker attacks complicate matters,exposing vulnerabilities for countries reliant on imported energy. India, importing nearly 90% of its crude oil and about half its natural gas, faces risks tied to this external dependence.
In response,India seeks alternative LNG supplies from Oman,the U.S.,Nigeria, and Angola. Indian refiners diversify crude oil buys to dodge Gulf-related risks. The country has broadened its energy sources, importing crude from 41 nations and LNG from 15, a jump from 27 and six,respectively,in past years.
Modi emphasized that the global scene demands shift to energy self-reliance. He pointed to ₹84,084-crore Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme,set to speed up oil and gas exploration in deepwater over next five years. This plan backs seismic surveys,exploratory drilling, and shared offshore infrastructure development, with government eyes on drawing investment and tech to India's offshore basins.
The Prime Minister said 99% of India's sedimentary basins are now open for oil and gas exploration, unlocking areas for commercial use . This aims to cut India's vulnerability to global energy price swings and supply hiccups .
Modi also touted his government's 12-year accomplishments,like expanding piped cooking gas from 70 to 700 cities,reaching 1.75 crore households from just 22 lakh in 2014. Plus, solar electricity generation surged from 2 gigawatts to 160 gigawatts in the last decade.
Energy security is central to Modi's vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India. The government also pushes for more domestic exploration of crucial minerals and growing nuclear and non-fossil energy's role in energy mix .
In 2024-25, India's crude oil imports were valued at about $137 billion, with petroleum products and LNG imports totaling $24 billion and $15 billion,respectively. As India navigates these tricky geopolitical waters, focus on energy self-reliance will likely shape economic policies for years…
