India Widens Energy Import Base Amid Geopolitical Risks
India has significantly expanded its energy import base in response to growing geopolitical tensions and disruptions along key maritime routes. The country is now sourcing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 15 countries, up from six, and crude oil from 41 countries, compared with 27 earlier.
The move aims to limit India's exposure to supply chain risks and ensure uninterrupted energy availability. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi stated that the diversification has reduced dependence on any particular country or shipping route.
Alongside import diversification, India is also building its oil reserves capacity. The government has expanded storage facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, with a combined capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes. Additional storage capacity of 6.5 million tonnes is being developed in Odisha and Karnataka, although no timeline for completion has been provided.
The broader energy sourcing network and planned storage capacity are intended to give India more options to withstand shocks to global energy flows and limit the impact of disruptions on domestic supplies.